It has been seven years since Brandon W. Hawk, famous yacht and builder/designer took out his newest, sleekest racing yacht for a final test run the morning before the annual "St. Valentine's Regatta". This was to be his most prestigious and coveted title, and the maiden race for the "Soiled Dove". On Friday, February 13, 1921 Brandon and his skeleton crew of three men sailed out of Pass Christian Bay harbor for what was to be a morning test run. The yacht failed to return by noon as scheduled. By 3:00 p.m., friends and family began to worry. Other yachtsmen participating in the event volunteered to sail out and look for the "Soiled Dove". Telegrams were wired up and down the coast from Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, to Pascagoula; no debris was ever seen washed ashore, no ships or lighthouses ever reported a single sighting of the "Soiled Dove".
Now, seven years later, Brandon's wife Buffy has petitioned the courts to declare Brandon dead. This Friday, February 13, 1928, the eve of the "St. Valentine's Regatta". Friends, family and business associates have been summoned to the home of Buffy Hawk for the formal reading of Brandon's Will. The Will has been sealed by the court up until this reading. No on except Forrest is privy to its content.
Cocktails to be served followed by dinner. We will then adjourn to the library for the reading of the Will and to hear some farewell words by friends of Brandon Hawk. R.I.P.
|