On the tenth anniversary of the sinking of the Tall Ship Marques , an American father whose son was aboard wants the "wonderful'' people of Bermuda to know how grateful his family remains for the kindness shown to them during their ordeal.

On June 3, 1984, the British-registered Marques was sailing from Bermuda to Halifax on the second leg of a Tall Ships race when it was hit by a freak squall and sank. While a search was being conducted for the 28 passengers and crew, a number of anxious family members flew to the Island to await news.

Among those were Mr. and Mrs. Paul McMillan of Fairfield, Connecticut. Their son Clifton, a 16-year-old trainee on the ship, was one of only nine to be rescued.

"When we were there, the people of Bermuda were so wonderful to us,'' Mr.

McMillan said from Connecticut yesterday. "Some of the boys lost everything (in the sinking) and all the merchants in town just opened their doors.'' Mr. McMillan said he was also touched by the guest house owner with whom he and his family were staying during that very difficult period.

"She wouldn't take a penny for it,'' he recalled. "I was just overwhelmed by the generosity of Bermudians.'' Now 26, Clifton McMillan recently graduated from the University of Central Texas with a degree in aeronautics. He is currently seeking employment as a commercial pilot.

"I'm very happy to report that my son is doing well,'' his father said.