Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-11
ALL PASSENGERS LANDED.
Seas Pound Steamer-Salyaging Called
Doubtful

Doubtful
PLYMOUTH, Mass. March 10 Cq1.-
The steamer Robert E. Lee was hard
aground on the rocks of Manomet
FONT tonight, but her passengers and
crew were safely ashore.
The last OF the $50 passengers aboard
the Lee when 1t struck on Mary Ann
rocks last night were landed here this
afternoon and few minutes later all
but handful Of the il3 OF the crew
abandoned the ship.
The sea still pounded heavily against
the steamer as she rested on an even
keel Upon the rocks tonight. The pros
pect OF floating her was uncertain. She
struck soiidly upon the shoals about 3
O'Clock last night, as she headed for
tho Cape Cod Canal on her run from
Boston to New York. southeast gale
and binding snowstorm had driven
her 81 her course. but the crash came
without warning TO those aboard.
No Panic on Liner.
There vas little confusion and no
panic, those aboard said. The lights
vent out and the ship became cold. The
passengers finally went TO bed, only TO
be turned out again when water be-
gan 70 now into some Of the stateroons.
Many attempted 70 sleep on the decks,
but. except for the chill and lack Of
food. there was no great suffering.
Rescue ships responding TO the
SOS calls from the Lee. rushed 10 the
scene. but the boiling seas and thick
snow prevented any attempts 10 aid.
From the shore side the Coast Guard
attempted fruitlessly TO launch boats.
Not until morning we're they successful,
and II was as a result Of one OF these
ettempts that the fwo men of the
I.anomet station lost their lives.
As the sea abated during the fore
noon surf boats succeeded in reaching
the craft. and, with much danger. the
passengers we're transferred from the
wrecked ship and !erried TO other larger
boats standing by. Then they were
brought TO shore. where waiting friends
and relief workers cared for them.
Automobile busSes sent from Boston
carried many back 10 that city. where
they took trains for their destination
or returned TO their homes.
50 In Crew La.ided.
Fifty members Of the crew were
1sndec here In Coast Guard patrol
Loa;. and 60 others. including Capt.
Robinson. left for Boston on the Coas:
Guard cutter Red Wing. The watch
EFT on board the vessel was made up
Of the radio officer and one of the
mates. A Coast Guard patrol boat
stood by the wreck.
First Cricer Ralph McDonougil, who
WAS among those landed al Plymouth.
refused 70 answer questions or 70 dis
cuss the wreck.
The steamer vent on the rocks IN
Q snowstorYYl,'' was his simple version
Of the nnishap.
4. p. Monatt, another Of the officers,
- ksnA &en. n
that ne did not know what could he
Gone about saiYaging her.
Samuel T. OidheJd. genera! passcn-
ffr agent of the Eastern Steamship
!-a5les, who represented the company
- ths scene To-Day. said no plans for
iaklng the ship III the reef had been
gGade as yet He expressed doubt as
" The possibility of salyaging TIE
flhamer
FuIy schooigiris who had been en- tnt
v&y ~ spend d weeks vacation ~ Eep
Tork when the vessel ,Foundec said ths
experience was very thrilling" They
were Elizabeth CIoley of Peoria, III
Pear Marcus .! Cleveland. Joy Etaniey
81 San Francisco and Ruth Adler o.
Cleveland, al pupils ~ Boston private
EcnCCE.
Enjoyed Experience.
Miss Ctyoley, speaking for The group
f&}d fhty EAo enjoyed Their night oi
si1e reef, being unaware u the serious
gafSS oi the sit3lst ton until the fnOrninl
Lgnt reYeaied the feet of rescue craft
Il Was reading III my berth when tn
crash came" She said THE etij
stopped with thud, bat paid no I'll
tetattpn " that A. little later one o
the girls came into my room and ssi.
We were aground. Thsn the lights wen
out We gToped OUR way around ol
the 6eck until We found Miss Marcus
Yoom IN very short time keroseU
lamps hno been lighted and member
81 the crew had placed torches In tti
stsssageways.
"'Thro1gllolt the night We dance
and sang W the music u the piano. no
Dody seemed ~ want ~ sleep. sItboug
some sal IN Their chairs with blanket
wrapped about them and dozed fr0t
time 10 tine We saw no panic Or ftai
The only passengers affected seemed +
be 4 woman suffering from heart trol
bic snG smother WHO iiad sick bah,
The water Covered the three lowe
decEs"
Three yosiUg women travelling "
eelbeT spent ible night playing caro-
Fnd U1uk the whole affair ~ j0k,
1tey were Msic0Vs Fayst0n of Chiesg'
fCsnfjnsad on Fsgs z. Column 81