Dorsch - I.O.O.F. Cemetery - Denton, TX - Maritime Monuments and Memorials on Waymarking.com

Mrs. Dorsch was the daughter of Dr. Matthew D. Fullingim, a prominent area physician, and his wife, Mamie. All are buried together in the Fullingim family plot in Section Q. The cenotaph is made of gray granite, with the family name, "Dorsch", across the top, and the inscription reads:

In Loving Memory of

Vala Fullingim
Nov. 13, 1903

Leroy Vail
July 1, 1903

Who were lost at sea Apr. 8, 1961 in the
"S.S. Dara" disaster in the Persian Gulf.

Mr. Dorsch most likely was one of the businessman that the MV Dara transported regularly between the Persian Gulf and the Indian subcontinent. This ship was owned and operated by the British India Steam Navigation Company, and had just returned from Bombay. While unloading both cargo, passengers, and visitors in Dubai, a storm blew up, and the captain decided to take the ship out of the harbor until the weather calmed. The unloading operation was halted, with both cargo and unplanned travelers going along. As the ship returned to the harbor on April 8, an explosion occurred around 0430. Fire spread quickly, and the captain ordered the evacuation of the ship. Lifeboats were launched in rough conditions, and rescue efforts were a combined effort by British, German and Japanese vessels in the vicinity, as well as by any ships passing through that could be mustered. A total of 238 out of 819 persons were lost, including some of the crew. Suspicion was raised that the incident was caused by insurgents, but there was never any sufficient documentation to pursue the matter further. While being towed back to port on April 10, the Dara capsized and sunk: It now sits on the ocean floor forty-nine feet below the surface.

There's no parking area per se, although there are some dead-ends at the corners of the cemetery where one can park and be out of the road. Keep your eyes peeled for plots that are enclosed by curbing, as you'll be able to pull up fairly close without blocking access. In any event, this is a fairly large cemetery, and it's not difficult to find another way around if someone's car is in your path.

Relevent website: [Web Link] List if there are any visiting hours: Daily, 6 AM to 9 PM Entrance fees (if any): None Parking coordinates: N 33° 12.405 W 097° 08.247 Sponsor(s): Fullingim Family Date dedicated: Not listed

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