Son of US Air Force Captain seeks Connemara help in solving post-war mystery

A tin can found on a Connemara beach may hold the secret to one of the great aviation mysteries of the post-war era – why a US plane carrying senior members of the US services and strategic command on a flight to England had to ditch into the Atlantic off the west coast.

The US Air Force C-124 Globemaster had, on board, a brigadier general, two colonels, two majors, 20 captains and four lieutenants, along with highly confidential documents when it ditched on March 23 1951 – and subsequently it was suggested that it may have been carrying an atomic bomb.

Search planes were dispatched as soon as the alarm was raised, and while survivors were initially spotted in life rafts, by the time rescue ships arrived some 20 hours later, there was no sign of any of the 53 crew and passengers.

Now more than 60 years on, the son of one of those officers on board, Captain Lawrence E Rafferty, is attempting to shed new light on the mystery – which is why he is seeking local help.

The story of the tin can came to light in a book written by aviation journalist, the late Michael O’Toole, entitled “Cleared For Disaster, Ireland’s Most Horrific Air Crashes”.

And in that book, he records that over a month later – on Saturday, April 28 – John Faherty, a 60 year old bachelor farmer, discovered this tin can on the beach near his home at Tullybeg, Renvyle, where he lived with his unmarried sister.

The tin was about the size which would contain 2 lbs of paint – and Mr O’Toole claimed that inside this tin can was a handwritten note that may have been written by one of the airmen lost in the Globemaster before it ditched on March 23 of 1951.

The note was handed over to the Gardaí and subsequently to the US authorities – but now Captain Rafferty’s son, also Lawrence E Rafferty, wants to see if he can find out more.

“The reason this note is important is that the note allegedly described a possible sabotage situation had forced the plane into the Atlantic,” he says.

In addition, during the search for survivors, various debris was found, including a valise owned by Captain Rafferty.

“Captain Rafferty was my father and I am searching for any information anyone may have concerning the note discovered by Mr. Faherty or any other information concerning this ill-fated flight,” he says.

“I would especially be interested in any copies of the note found in the tin can in Tullybeg.

“My family members and the family members of all 53 on board would be appreciative of any information related to this incident,” he adds.

The entire incident still remains shrouded in intrigue – not overly surprising given both the passenger list, the suggestion of classified documents….and the claims on an atomic bomb.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.