LETTER: Writer appeals for assistance

I am a writer from Alaska, USA, researching a story that has a connection to Shoreham and wondered whether anyone living in the area can help me with sources.

In 1949, a 63-year-old German, Paul Muller, and his 18-year-old daughter, Aga (short for Agatha), set off from Berlin to cross the Atlantic in their 16ft boat.

They were escaping East Germany, hoping to eventually settle in Argentina and later bring over the rest of their family. It’s a long complicated story.

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Before he was married, Paul Muller actually crossed the Atlantic solo in a smaller boat back in 1928-29 for the same reasons.

I’ve written a story about that. Now I’m writing about the second voyage with his daughter.

On about October 10, 1949, or so, they stopped in Shoreham and were given a warm welcome – for by that time the world’s press had latched on to their story.

They spent several days in Shoreham. Later, in a series of articles Aga wrote for the Irish Press, she had nothing but good things to say about the people of Shoreham. I’m quite sure the local press covered the story, perhaps extensively.

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Does anyone in Shoreham remember the Muller visit? If so, do they have any documents or photographs? Did they stay in touch with Aga? Is there a local historical society or museum that may have a file on the Muller visit that may include photos?

Does anyone know whatever happened to Aga Muller? As of about 1973, I can trace her to Dublin, Ireland. One source says she married a Fred Cantwell, a former reporter for the Irish Press. Aga wrote a multi-part series about the voyage after her father died off the coast of Africa, and worked for the Irish Press for a while in the 1950s. I found an article in the December 12, 1997, Munster Express (Ireland) about Aga and Paul, but it doesn’t say what became of her.

It appears that by 1997 no one in Ireland knew what later happened to her.

I’ve posted a more detailed request for help on a Facebook page for one of the books I’ve written.

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Go to Facebook and search for ‘Doug Capra The Spaces Between’.

The post about my search for Aga Muller should be near the top of the page.

Someday I hope to visit your town. Thank you for any help you’re able to give me.

Doug Capra

P.O. Box 1574

Seward, Alaska 99664 USA

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