1943 – Apr 19, cabin cruiser Legionnaire hit by waves, sinks, So. Bay, off Long Isl., NY– 10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-12-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–10  Hagerstown Daily Mail (MD). “Ten Sea Scouts Are Drowned on Cruise,” 4-20-1943, p. 10.

–10  Lockhart Post-Register (TX). “The Year in Review…Disasters,” Jan 6, 1944, p. 6. 

Narrative Information

Associated Press: “Islip, N. Y., April 20 (AP).—Police and Coast Guard authorities today searched the waters of great South Bay for the bodies of three teenage Sea Scouts who with seven companions lost their lives yesterday in a tragic climax to a carefree Easter vacation cruise. Their skipper, Fred Mayer, 30, of North Bellmore, L. I., was the sole survivor of the disaster which occurred when their 36-foot converted cabin cruiser foundered in the waves two miles from shore…

“Seven of the bodies were brought ashore to villages on the bay and taken to undertaking establishments crowded with tearful relatives.  Authorities, pointing out that some of the boys apparently had succumbed from exposure, abandoned hope that the three missing Sea Scouts could have survived.

“Mayer was rescued by a passing ship after two members of the crew leaped overboard and tied a line around him as he fought to forestall unconsciousness.  The rescue vessel, under command of Capt. Robert Maynard, also recovered the bodies of five of the boys, and sailors applied artificial respiration while the ship headed for Patchogue. L. I, a 20-minute trip. Two other bodies were found later in the same area by Coast Guard searchers.

“From a cot in Southshore Hospital at Bay Shore, L. I., Mayer, suffering from submersion and exhaustion, related this account of the tragedy. A huge wave smashed the hatch door of their boat, S. S. S. Legionnaire, sweeping one of the boys overboard. Two others launched a dinghy and attempted to rescue their shipmate, but a wave capsized the dinghy and Mayer said he saw no more of the three boys. Waves pounded the cruiser which took water rapidly. This forced her bow downward and the Legionnaire began to sink. The boys who had donned life preservers were hurled overboard as the craft’s bow sank deeper. The next few hours were a nightmare as Mayer swam around the stricken cruiser encouraging the boys to keep their hold on the vessel’s side.  One by one the boys dropped off, exhausted by the waves and the chill of the water.” (Hagerstown Daily Mail (MD). “Ten Sea Scouts Are Drowned on Cruise,” 20 Apr 1943, p. 10.)

Sources

Hagerstown Daily Mail, MD. “Ten Sea Scouts Are Drowned on Cruise,” 4-20-1943, p. 10.  Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=79268589

Lockhart Post-Register, TX. “The Year in Review…Disasters,” 1-6-1944, p. 6. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=158478718