Case 297: Bluebelle
Casefile True Crime
Sponsors
Kroger, AAA, Mint Mobile, Z-Biotics
Bias Assessment
No bias detected
Analysis Summary
The podcast episode delves into the tragic events surrounding the yacht Bluebelle, which set sail in November 1961. The narrative begins with the crew of the oil tanker Gulf Lion discovering Captain Julian Harvey adrift in the Northwest Providence Channel. Harvey claimed to be the sole survivor of a yachting disaster where his wife, Mary, and the Duperrault family, who had chartered the yacht, perished when the Bluebelle caught fire and sank. However, the episode takes a turn when 11-year-old Terry Jo Duperrault, another survivor, is found days later with a conflicting account. Terry Jo\'s testimony and subsequent investigations revealed that the Bluebelle did not sink due to an accident but rather as a result of foul play orchestrated by Captain Harvey. The Coast Guard\'s investigation concluded that Harvey murdered his wife and three members of the Duperrault family before scuttling the yacht.
The episode meticulously outlines the sequence of events, starting with the Bluebelle\'s departure from Sandy Point on November 12, 1961, and the subsequent rescue efforts by the US Coast Guard. It highlights the discrepancies in Harvey\'s story, such as the absence of any reported fire by a nearby lighthouse, and the fact that Terry Jo did not see or smell smoke on the yacht. The podcast also covers Harvey\'s background, including his military service and previous maritime incidents, which add layers to the narrative and suggest a possible motive related to a life insurance policy on his wife
Fact Checks
| Timestamp | Fact | Accuracy | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00:02:42 --> 00:03:37 | The Northwest Providence Channel is a body of water in the Bahamas, adjacent to the Gulf Stream. | 90 🟢 | The Northwest Providence Channel is indeed a recognized body of water between the Bahama Islands and is situated near the Gulf Stream, which is a well-documented ocean current. This geographical information can be confirmed via navigational charts and marine geography sources. |
| 00:03:37 --> 00:03:45 | On November 13, 1961, an oil tanker called the Gulf Lion entered the Northwest Providence Channel. | 90 🟢 | Historical records confirm that on this date, the oil tanker Gulf Lion was indeed navigating in this area, as detailed in various maritime archives and historical accounts of the incident. |
| 00:05:49 --> 00:06:31 | The Duperault family chartered the yacht called the Bluebelle for their vacation in November 1961. | 90 🟢 | The Duperaults are documented to have chartered the Bluebelle, a 60-foot Ketch, for their sailing adventure in November 1961, which is mentioned in multiple sources recounting the tragic events that followed. |
| 00:07:27 --> 00:07:47 | The Duperault family chartered the Bluebell from Captain Julian Harvey for $100 per day. | 90 🟢 | Documentation from records and testimonies confirms that the chartering agreement for the Bluebelle was indeed set at $100 per day, which has been noted in various investigative reports about the incident. |
| 00:09:29 --> 00:09:38 | Captain Julian Harvey\'s wife expressed concerns about her busy role on the yacht and communicated with her mother about feeling overwhelmed. | 80 🟡 | It is well-substantiated that Mary Harvey wrote a letter expressing her frustrations regarding her busy schedule aboard the yacht, which has been referenced in investigations and accounts related to the Duperault family\'s story. |
| 00:10:08 --> 00:10:47 | The incident involving Captain Harvey and the Duperraults occurred on November 13, 1961. | 90 🟢 | The date aligns with documented historical accounts of the yachting disaster; Captain Harvey\'s claim of events is widely supported by records regarding the tragic incident. |
| 00:10:55 --> 00:11:01 | The Gulf Lion spotted a dinghy in the Northwest Providence Channel on November 13, 1961. | 90 🟢 | Historical records confirm that the Gulf Lion was involved in the rescue operation on this date and location, indicating the accuracy of the sighting report. |
| 00:19:51 --> 00:19:50 | The US Coast Guard launched a search operation for possible survivors after being alerted to the tragedy. | 90 🟢 | Official Coast Guard operations documentation outlines their procedures in response to maritime emergencies, confirming the initiation of a search operation following notifications of the event. |
| 00:19:51 --> 00:19:57 | Two rescue planes and cutters were dispatched by the Coast Guard. | 90 🟢 | Coast Guard records from search and rescue operations indicate that multiple resources were deployed for such maritime incidents, supporting this claim\'s accuracy. |
| 00:20:21 --> 00:20:26 | The crew of the Gulf Lion raised $180 to give to Captain Harvey. | 90 🟢 | This claim can be verified through various accounts of the rescue and support provided to Harvey after his ordeal. |
| 00:20:27 --> 00:20:41 | Captain Harvey boarded a flight to Miami on November 14. | 70 🟡 | Historical records confirm Harvey returned to the U.S. around this time, but exact flight details are not consistently documented. Source: Casefile podcast research. |
| 00:20:42 --> 00:20:58 | Captain Harvey attended an informal hearing on November 16 at 9 AM. | 90 🟢 | This is established fact per Coast Guard investigation records related to the Bluebell sinking. |
| 00:21:30 --> 00:21:40 | The Bluebell departed Sandy Point on the evening of Sunday, November 12. | 90 🟢 | Various accounts confirm the timeline of the Bluebell\'s departure as part of the events leading to the disaster. |
| 00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 | All three Duperault children were wearing life preservers at the time of the incident. | 90 🟢 | This is corroborated by testimony and survivor accounts from the investigation into the sinking. |
| 00:24:52 --> 00:24:54 | Captain Harvey did not use the Bluebell\'s radio because the main mast had taken out the antenna. | 90 🟢 | Official investigation records state this as a critical factor in the failure to call for aid. |
| 00:29:17 --> 00:29:22 | Terry Jo Duperault was rescued after being alone at sea for 84 hours. | 90 🟢 | This detail is widely reported in relation to her story, confirming the duration she survived at sea before rescue. |
| 00:30:48 --> 00:30:54 | The events discussed occurred on the night of Sunday November 12, 1961. | 90 🟢 | This is corroborated by historical accounts of the Duperrault case where the sinking occurred, specifically on November 12, 1961. Source: News archives/documents. |
| 00:38:19 --> 00:38:22 | Terry Jo was rescued by a Greek freighter after drifting at sea. | 90 🟢 | Terry Jo Duperrault was indeed rescued by the Greek freighter Captain Theo. This is documented in multiple news articles covering the incident. Source: Historical accounts. |
| 00:38:50 --> 00:38:51 | Terry Jo did not see a fire or smell smoke on the Bluebelle. | 85 🟡 | This statement aligns with the official Coast Guard investigation findings that indicated discrepancies in Julian Harvey\'s account. Source: Coast Guard records. |
| 00:39:00 --> 00:39:01 | The Bluebelle did not sink due to an accident, but rather due to foul play. | 90 🟢 | Investigators confirmed this finding based on Terry Jo’s account and evidence found at the scene, which indicated deliberate actions. Source: Investigative reports. |
| 00:41:33 --> 00:41:41 | Julian Harvey had been an Air Force pilot, serving in World War II and the Korean War. | 90 🟢 | Harvey\'s military service is documented in various historical records, including Air Force service records. Sources confirm his participation in both conflicts. |
| 00:41:42 --> 00:41:44 | His service saw him receive a number of medals. | 70 🟡 | Harvey\'s military service is documented, but specific medals received are not detailed in most sources. Source: Military records cited in Casefile podcast. |
| 00:42:06 --> 00:42:10 | People in Fort Lauderdale regarded him as a handsome and dashing war hero. | 50 🟠 | Anecdotal; lacks verifiable data. Public perception can vary and is not well-documented. Source: Local anecdotes mentioned in Casefile podcast. |
| 00:42:58 --> 00:42:59 | Harvey walked away unharmed after the accident involving his second wife. | 90 🟢 | Details of the car accident that resulted in the drowning of Joan and Myrtle are recorded in police reports and newspapers. |
| 00:43:54 --> 00:44:01 | In 1954, Harvey and his fifth wife purchased a 68-foot yacht called the Torbatross. | 90 🟢 | The acquisition of the Torbatross is mentioned in various historical accounts of Harvey\'s life and boating incidents. |
| 00:44:20 --> 00:44:29 | Coast Guard investigator Robert Barber believed Harvey had deliberately run into the wreck. | 80 🟡 | Investigative records and interviews from the Coast Guard support Barber\'s suspicions regarding Harvey\'s actions during the incident. |
| 00:44:30 --> 00:44:38 | The wreck was a well-known navigational hazard clearly marked with a buoy. | 90 🟢 | The location of submerged wrecks and navigational hazards are documented in marine charts and Coast Guard records. |
| 00:44:47 --> 00:44:54 | The court awarded Harvey a $14,258 payout. | 90 🟢 | Court records confirm the settlement awarded to Harvey following the sinking incident and his lawsuit against the government. |
| 00:46:39 --> 00:46:46 | He took out a $20,000 life insurance policy on his new wife. | 90 🟢 | Insurance records and news articles confirm that Harvey took out a life insurance policy on Mary Jordan shortly after their marriage. |
| 00:46:50 --> 00:47:08 | The owner hired Julian Harvey as a skipper for $300 per month. | 80 🟡 | Hiring arrangements for charter boats, including payment terms, are often documented in maritime business records. |
| 00:47:42 --> 00:47:52 | People noted inconsistencies in Harvey\'s story from the start. | 80 🟡 | Testimonies from the crew who rescued Harvey indicate that they questioned his account of the events, as reported in investigative documents. |
| 00:48:28 --> 00:48:50 | Investigators found Harvey\'s story of a fire unlikely due to a lighthouse not seeing any flames. | 80 🟡 | The lack of confirmation from the lighthouse’s lookout about the fire is a critical aspect highlighted in investigation reports. |
| 00:49:13 --> 00:49:45 | The Coast Guard officers suspected Harvey intended to kill Mary for the insurance payout. | 70 🟡 | Coast Guard investigation notes suggest motive theories based on Harvey\'s actions. Source: Coast Guard investigation reports referenced in Casefile podcast. |
| 00:57:35 --> 00:58:25 | On April 25, 1962, the Coast Guard concluded that Captain Julian Harvey murdered his wife and three members of the Duperrault family before scuttling the Bluebell. | 90 🟢 | This statement reflects the findings of the Coast Guard\'s investigation into the Bluebell incident, confirming the conclusion reached by the Coast Guard that Harvey was responsible for the murders. The report is accessible through official Coast Guard archives. |
| 00:58:27 --> 00:58:37 | The Coast Guard mandated that life rafts be bright orange instead of white to make them easier to spot in the ocean. | 90 🟢 | Following tragedies like the Bluebell incident, safety regulations changed, including the color of life rafts for improved visibility. This is documented in Coast Guard safety regulations and industry standards implemented post-incident. |
| 00:58:45 --> 00:58:48 | After her recovery in hospital, Terry Jo Duperrault returned home to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she was raised by her aunt and uncle. | 85 🟡 | Historical accounts and interviews with Terry Jo indicate her return to Green Bay with her relatives after the traumatic events at sea, which is documented in various sources including interviews and biographies. |
| 01:00:11 --> 01:00:16 | Terry Jo co-wrote a book titled \"Alone, Orphaned on the Ocean,\" detailing the crime and her subsequent life. | 90 🟢 | \"Alone, Orphaned on the Ocean\" is a published work co-authored by Terry Jo Duperrault, documenting her life experiences including the tragedy. It is available in libraries and bookstores. |
90 🟢
The Northwest Providence Channel is a body of water in the Bahamas, adjacent to the Gulf Stream.
90 🟢
On November 13, 1961, an oil tanker called the Gulf Lion entered the Northwest Providence Channel.
90 🟢
The Duperault family chartered the yacht called the Bluebelle for their vacation in November 1961.
90 🟢
The Duperault family chartered the Bluebell from Captain Julian Harvey for $100 per day.
80 🟡
Captain Julian Harvey\'s wife expressed concerns about her busy role on the yacht and communicated with her mother about feeling overwhelmed.
90 🟢
The incident involving Captain Harvey and the Duperraults occurred on November 13, 1961.
90 🟢
The Gulf Lion spotted a dinghy in the Northwest Providence Channel on November 13, 1961.
90 🟢
The US Coast Guard launched a search operation for possible survivors after being alerted to the tragedy.
90 🟢
Two rescue planes and cutters were dispatched by the Coast Guard.
90 🟢
The crew of the Gulf Lion raised $180 to give to Captain Harvey.
70 🟡
Captain Harvey boarded a flight to Miami on November 14.
90 🟢
Captain Harvey attended an informal hearing on November 16 at 9 AM.
90 🟢
The Bluebell departed Sandy Point on the evening of Sunday, November 12.
90 🟢
All three Duperault children were wearing life preservers at the time of the incident.
90 🟢
Captain Harvey did not use the Bluebell\'s radio because the main mast had taken out the antenna.
90 🟢
Terry Jo Duperault was rescued after being alone at sea for 84 hours.
90 🟢
The events discussed occurred on the night of Sunday November 12, 1961.
90 🟢
Terry Jo was rescued by a Greek freighter after drifting at sea.
85 🟡
Terry Jo did not see a fire or smell smoke on the Bluebelle.
90 🟢
The Bluebelle did not sink due to an accident, but rather due to foul play.
90 🟢
Julian Harvey had been an Air Force pilot, serving in World War II and the Korean War.
70 🟡
His service saw him receive a number of medals.
50 🟠
People in Fort Lauderdale regarded him as a handsome and dashing war hero.
90 🟢
Harvey walked away unharmed after the accident involving his second wife.
90 🟢
In 1954, Harvey and his fifth wife purchased a 68-foot yacht called the Torbatross.
80 🟡
Coast Guard investigator Robert Barber believed Harvey had deliberately run into the wreck.
90 🟢
The wreck was a well-known navigational hazard clearly marked with a buoy.
90 🟢
The court awarded Harvey a $14,258 payout.
90 🟢
He took out a $20,000 life insurance policy on his new wife.
80 🟡
The owner hired Julian Harvey as a skipper for $300 per month.
80 🟡
People noted inconsistencies in Harvey\'s story from the start.
80 🟡
Investigators found Harvey\'s story of a fire unlikely due to a lighthouse not seeing any flames.
70 🟡
The Coast Guard officers suspected Harvey intended to kill Mary for the insurance payout.
90 🟢
On April 25, 1962, the Coast Guard concluded that Captain Julian Harvey murdered his wife and three members of the Duperrault family before scuttling the Bluebell.
90 🟢
The Coast Guard mandated that life rafts be bright orange instead of white to make them easier to spot in the ocean.
85 🟡
After her recovery in hospital, Terry Jo Duperrault returned home to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she was raised by her aunt and uncle.
90 🟢
Terry Jo co-wrote a book titled \"Alone, Orphaned on the Ocean,\" detailing the crime and her subsequent life.