To say the least, the tragedy of Swissair Flight 111, was just that, a tragedy. What was worse for me, is that it was right in my backyard...in Peggy's Cove Nova Scotia Canada, a short distance away from Halifax, where I lived at the time. While we are accustomed to turning on CNN, or CBC Newsworld and hearing about plane crashes, or hearing about how a fisherman was lost at sea, but a tragedy of this magnititude does not happen in this neck of the woods..until Sept 2nd 1998.
The whole province, especially the fisherman and residents of Peggy's Cove should be proud how they handled the situation, not to mention the Canadian Authorities, for being thorough, instead of releasing preliminary details which the american media often does causing speculations and crap, which the earlier TWA flight 800 crash was known for. While early in the investigation, the pilot and co pilot were condemned in the media for handling the fire on board the way they did, people of the area at the time I visited Peggy's Cove, considered them heroes for ditched the plane out to sea...and for good reason...5 mins later, and they would have crashed in Downtown Halifax...but it's likely that the pilot realized he wouldn't make it to the Halifax International Airport, and decided to crash as far away as he could...a move which undeniably saved lives. The contents of these pages are dedicated to the brave pilots, crew and passengers of Flight 111 who paid with their lives to save others.
The Following is a poem written by my mother Jane Snailham, about the tragedy. she said it's more of a reflection of her thoughts than anything..she's not that much of a poetry writer...just what she's feeling in her heart. To me, it reflects nicely the overall situation of the Tragedy of Flight 111.
They came from New York, on Swissair 111, bound for far away lands.
The flight just begun, adventure ahead, not knowing what was in store.
A pitch black sky, and bang in the air, shocked many that fateful night,
A dreadful fear filled their hearts, as they looked to the sea and it's might.
Fishermen in boats, to the sea en masse, not knowing what they would find.
a frantic search, hope in their hearts, their own lives on the line.
They searched through the night, but with each passing hour, hope began to fade,
As a new day dawned, the world heard the news of the tragedy near Peggy's Cove
Military and civilian alike, kept the flame of hope alive.
Maybe a miracle, from the depths of the sea-not meant to be
So many souls, went to heaven, off Nova Scotia's beautiful shore.
Friends and families came to our Peggy's Cove, and were embraced with loving care.
Flowers, cards, and teddy bears among the jagged rocks, mark the spot of their despair.
As many search for the cause of this crash, my heart cries. My prayers are with all involved.
please God, let the healing begin at home and abroad.
Flight 111 and Peggy's Cove remain in my heart.
Jane Snailham
Halifax, N.S.
September 9th, 1998
