That evening, Helen and John dined at
Sam Whidden’s harbor side restaurant,
which was once part of his marina on the
bayou. The restaurant featured a dance fl oor
that overlooked the water. After dinner, the
couple embraced for the fi rst time. They
were both falling in love.
Years later John jokingly related that Helen
and he had been “caught kissing” by the
town sheriff, Offi cer Ben Hill, who, upon
recognizing the Sprott automobile, had
come over to say hello.
The next day was John’s last in port. Helen
and he chose to conclude their fl eeting
moments together strolling hand-in-hand
on the beach. Their walk was enchantingly
choreographed by the rhythm of the Gulf
of Mexico, as its waves methodically lapped
at the shoreline; by the gentle sea breezes
that softly rustled the thick, lush, tropical
foliage on nearby dunes; and by the sweet
song of the whip-poor-will. The night had
been made for loving. Then, with their
moments so precious, on the steps under
the towering mid-island Rear Range Light,
bathed in the surreal ochre glow of a moon
that was full against an inky black sky, John
told Helen, “I’m going to marry you.”
From this time forward, the future of
Helen and John merged into one shared
reality. Weeks later, during PC 449’s fi nal
visit to South Boca Grande, John was
bestowed the “great honor” of driving
Capt. Sprott’s automobile. Helen and John
drove across the 4th Street bridge, over the
bayou, and onto East Dock. The moon’s
dancing refl ection on Charlotte Harbor
had so enamored the already-enraptured
couple that it wasn’t until then that Helen
remembered that the dock was in ill repair.
She warned, “You can’t drive out here!”
John immediately stopped the car and
inspected the dock. Its wood-planked
surface was rotted and full of gaping holes,
some as large as the automobile. They had
miraculously missed the holes. With the help
of what must have been providence, John
backed the car off the dock without incident.
In May, enemy submarine activity in
94 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • November/December • 2020
the Gulf increased, heralding a frenzy of
destruction that would continue throughout
September of 1942. During this period,
PC 449 was continuously at sea protecting
shipping. The wartime needs of the Navy
far outweighed the longings of a potentially
star-crossed romance. As the anxious days
of their separation became more numerous,
Helen and John’s love for each other grew,
nourished by many eloquent letters and
telephone conversations when PC 449
docked in Key West. The Boca Grande
telephone operator could usually inform
John of Helen’s whereabouts – such was the
nature of living on a small island. The couple
chose October 23, 1942, for their marriage,
a date almost six months to the day after
their chance meeting at Fugate’ Patio Bar.
To enable Helen and John some time
together and chaperon their engagement
period, John’s mother, Eleanor Montell
Brouwer, came from Montclair, N.J. to Key
West. John had secured an apartment near
the Navy base that was exclusively rented
to offi cers. Helen joined her future motherin
law in July. Although sea duty rarely
permitted John to be in Key West, Helen
and Eleanor spent the summer and early fall
socializing with and entertaining other Navy
offi cers and their wives. An engagement
party was held at the base offi cer’s club.
John’s mother desired that the couple be
married in their apartment’s lush garden,
but a suitable church could not be found
in Key West. John would later relate that he
would have preferred being married nearer
to the base, had he known of the existence
of a local Episcopal Church.
As the wedding day neared, a church in
Miami was selected. Since the PC 449 was
scheduled to be in homeport for general
“housekeeping” during the week of their
marriage, the Navy approved a four-day
shore liberty. The trio spent most of John’s
leave preparing for the wedding. Many
friends and relatives from Boca Grande
were invited, but only John’s mother, Helen’s
parents, an aunt and uncle, and two of her
sisters were able to make the trip to Miami.
HISTORY continued from page 58