Gold Rush Starts in the Bering Sea

Chapter 20: Death Toll 23

The weather in the Bering Sea is just so unpredictable.

Normally, the gold rush season in the Bering Sea is characterized by southerly or southeasterly winds of force 3-5, but who knows where these sudden cyclones come from?

The Bering Sea was raging, but thankfully, Jason and Albert returned home safely.

As for Old Hart and his men, they returned to port early, their decades of gold panning experience allowing them to make the best choices in a timely manner.

The howling wind, accompanied by the pattering of large raindrops, abruptly brought the race against time to a halt during the gold rush season.

The power supply was cut off, but fortunately, the house had a generator and enough fuel, so we didn't have to use candles.

With no television signal, the only thing that could survive this storm was the radio.

But as names came through the radio, the atmosphere became even more somber.

This cyclone came too suddenly and too strangely, and some gold prospectors who were far from the shore did not have enough time to return.

Of course, there are also some naive newcomers who are ignorant of their own limitations and rely solely on their enthusiasm to forge ahead.

The helicopter's searchlight streaked across the sky above the town, heading straight for the Bering Sea.

Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night for many.

The report listed as many as 27 people missing, but everyone knew what that meant.

A miracle?

It's a miracle because it's extremely rare!

Especially since this is the Bering Sea, where the ice had only recently thawed and the water temperature was extremely low.

Everyone knows what the outcome will be.

"How long has it been? It must have been more than ten years. I never expected to run into you again," Albert sighed, lost in memories.

Lillian replied, "Thirteen years."

Back then, communication was not well-developed, and just like this time, a sudden cyclone swallowed many gold prospectors up in the Bering Sea.

The death toll wasn't tallied until the tenth day, totaling forty-one people. That gold rush season was an unforgettable experience for these elderly people.

This is a natural disaster; humans are far too insignificant in the face of it.

"Jason, this is the Bering Sea, be careful," Jason warned seriously. Especially after this incident, he was even more frightened when he remembered the last time Jason didn't check the weather equipment.

Jason nodded. "Don't worry, I'll be careful."

"Knock knock knock"

A knock sounded at the door, and when the door was opened, it was Old Hart who had come despite the rain.

"What brings you here?" Albert asked, puzzled, as he was ushered into the house.

Taking off his raincoat and wiping the rain from his face, Old Hart said helplessly, "My generator broke down. Do you have a spare? Could you lend it to me?"

"Also, do you feel that this incident might be similar to what happened thirteen years ago?" Old Hart kept worrying as he recalled the aftermath of that disaster thirteen years ago.

In the Bering Sea, success depends entirely on ability, especially in the uncertain industry of gold mining.

After the disaster thirteen years ago, the entire Bering Sea was strictly required to go out to sea at designated times, and going out to sea was strictly prohibited if the weather was bad.

It's not that no one is disobedient, but they can no longer be seen in the Bering Sea.

"Probably not, things are different now than they were thirteen years ago," Albert thought for a moment and shook his head.

They worked together to move the found generator to the car, and by the time they got back to the house, they were soaked to the bone.

"Jason, get some rest. You have a ton of things to do tomorrow," Albert interrupted Jason before he could ask the question.

I slept silently through the night, accompanied by the howling wind.

The next day, the sky was high and the clouds were light, as if nothing had happened the day before.

Although they hadn't left their homes yet, a sense of oppression already permeated the entire town.

After breakfast, they gathered in twos and threes, clustering together.

In Old Gary's bar, the lively atmosphere had faded. Some people were smoking, others were sipping their drinks, discussing quietly, waiting for their turn.

"I heard they rescued a few people yesterday, but I wonder who was so lucky~"

"It's John and his son, and Karen and his two crew members," one of them said softly, clearly knowing a lot.

"Twenty-three people, I never expected something like this to happen this year," Old Gary sighed. There have been many accidents in the Bering Sea, but seeing so many people at once still shocked this old man.

"Jason, are we going out to sea?" Brent asked in a low voice.

Andy snapped, "Brent, what time is it now? Wait!"

Most people in the town know each other, and even if they don't know each other well, they nod to each other when they meet. Their relationships vary in quality.

Upon receiving the notification, everyone on the Bering Sea came to an open area in the town.

The official from Norme stood before everyone, his sharp, tailored suit looking out of place.

Alex Andil

Kyle Royerroth

……

One name after another was uttered from the officials' mouths, and with each name that was called out, cries of anguish followed.

"Furthermore," he put away the list in his hand and then announced, "the crew members of the John and Karen have been taken to the hospital and are not in life-threatening condition for the time being."

Perhaps both ships were just lucky; they were rescued not far from shore, especially John and his crew, whose ship had already sunk. If it weren't for the helicopter spotting them, they probably would have...

After learning about it, one can only marvel at how lucky these people are.

The weather was fine today, and the Bering Sea was very calm. Speedboats set off from the dock one after another, without carrying any gold panning equipment.

It was an unorganized, spontaneous event. Although everyone knew the chances of finding it were slim and the hope was bleak, they still set off.

The entire sea area was divided into large and small sections, with each ship responsible for one section.

"Area 13, none."

"Area 9, none."

"Area 31, found...found Andil and Kansk."

……

After compiling the information, fifteen people were still missing.

Standing on the dock, all the families of the victims expressed their gratitude, suppressing their own pain, as each ship returned to port.

There may have been arguments and competition, but at this moment, all grudges have been put aside.

evening.

In Old Gary's tavern.

Gold prospectors gathered here.

Silence is the only theme at this moment.

"I'm not going to go overseas to pan for gold anymore," a newbie said in a low voice, head down.

"That's fine," the crew member said understandingly, especially in this situation, what more could a novice ask for?

"We were drinking together just two days ago, I never expected this..." A gold prospector who knew Old John well choked up.

Despite the grief, life must go on. For most gold prospectors, their only job is panning for gold; they have no other skills.

Seeing Brent, who was usually so enthusiastic but was now quietly drinking, Andy asked, "Brent, are you scared out of your wits?"

"No," Brent shook his head. "I'm just feeling a little uneasy."

"That's normal, but you have to understand, this is the Bering Sea," Andy refilled Brent's glass, offering no words of comfort but simply stating the facts.

Gold rush is inherently a gamble. It can lead to a life of wealth or, if it fails, result in debt at best, and in worst, like what you're in now!

No one can say for sure whether tomorrow or an accident will come first.

Jason didn't say anything. Given a second chance at life, and with the ability to detect things, Jason was destined to deal with gold in his life, and he wouldn't give up because of this situation.

However, security will be given greater importance. Gold can be found anytime, but all of this is based on one's own safety.

the next day.

In the town's church, one funeral after another took place, filling the air with a solemn and heavy atmosphere.

The funeral lasted for two days, and a somber atmosphere enveloped the entire Bering Sea.

The homes of the gold prospectors were filled with instructions and admonitions. The reality was stark; they certainly didn't want their family members to never return from the sea.

Jason and his friends gathered at Brent's rented place, along with Andy and Hart Jr.

Sitting on the sofa in the living room, Corinna, with her long hair tied up, said to Jason, "Jason, take me out to sea with you. I want half of the gold, as long as you take me out to sea."

She was truly at her wit's end. Since setting sail, his total catch was less than ten ounces. At this rate, he couldn't even afford the postage, let alone make a profit.

"Corinna, you're dreaming~" Brent muttered softly, but Corinna still heard him.

Corinna leaned back on the sofa, revealing her alluring curves, but her expression was complex. "Jason, I won't lie to you, this accident makes me want to leave here."