Valdosta Daily Times

Local News

April 18, 2009

<img src="http://valdosta.sgaonline.com/headlines/6.gif" /> Quitman sailor sends message to captain held by pirates

As a culinary specialist aboard the USS Bainbridge, Seaman Terrell White of Quitman had been assigned to prepare a meal for the freighter captain held by pirates.

This was earlier this month when Somali pirates held Capt. Richard Phillips hostage. The Navy destroyer closely followed and kept contact with the small lifeboat where the pirates held Phillips.

On the bottom of an A1 Steak Sauce bottle, Terrell White reportedly affixed a note for Capt. Phillips: “Hang on, sir. We’re coming.”

White wanted the freighter captain to know that the U.S. Navy would not let him down and that everyone, from the USS Bainbridge’s commanding officer Cmdr. Frank Castellano to the culinary specialists, were there for Phillips.

While it isn’t believed that Phillips received the note while a hostage, he heard of it after his daring rescue last week. Phillips met with Terrell White, a 2007 Brooks County High School graduate, aboard the Bainbridge.

“He was a nice guy,” White says of Phillips. “He was in good spirits.”



• Read more about this Sunday in The Times.

Text Only
Local News
  • mqdefault.jpg Weekend preview with Brittany McClure

    Find out what's going on this weekend with Brittany McClure.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120524 pnut lady4.jpg Popular vendor taken out of the ballparks

    With a wagon-load of fresh cakes, hot boiled peanuts and ice-cold bottled water she has witnessed generations of children, or as she refers to them, her angels, grow into adults with children of their own.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • ELECTION-graphic.jpg Three candidates file for election

    Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries continue with the addition of a couple new candidates interested in running for elected office.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • money.jpg City, county tax discussions stalled

    Local Option Sales Tax “negotiations” between city and county officials have descended from open meetings to a stalemate, with no clear agreement on how the estimated $210 million in tax revenue should be split.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • valdosta high principal.jpg Valdosta High principal to retire

    After one year as Valdosta High School principal, Rufus McDuffie has announced his retirement.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Bryan Don by Prop 8x10 HQ.jpg South Georgia’s Ace

    High above war-torn Germany, World War II fighter ace Donald S. “Bush” Bryan led his flight toward an estimated 50 enemy aircraft.

    May 24, 2012 3 Photos

  • Arraignment set for Quitman 11

    The “Quitman Eleven” are scheduled to have an arraignment on May 29, Brooks County Courthouse, according to their attorney, Roy Copeland.

    May 24, 2012

  • Qualifying opens

    Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries kicked off Wednesday and plenty of folks tossed their proverbial hats in the ring on opening day.

    May 24, 2012

  • 120522 fire3.jpg Fire on Ridgeway Drive

    No injuries were reported after a fire broke out Tuesday morning at an 800 block Ridgeway Drive house.

    May 23, 2012 2 Photos

  • staciawatkins.jpg Lowndes High grad part of ABC’s ‘Duets’


    VALDOSTA — A Lowndes High School graduate is expected to be a part of the debut episode of the new ABC talent-search show “Duets” premiering this week.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

Top News
Choose your subscription:
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Poll

With schools out, how will your kids spend the day?

Day care / camps
Summer school
With a parent
Spending summer away
Old enough to be alone
     View Results