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SS Robert E Lee

SS Robert E Lee

Posted: 9 Sep 2002 7:53PM GMT
Classification: Query
Greetings all ~
Looking for anyone with information in regards to the Merchant Marine ship SS Robert E Lee which was torpedoed in the Gulf of Mexico by U-166 on 07/30/42. Of the 131 crew that were on that ship, 240 passengers mostly rescued from other ships that had been hit, and a few armed guards - 25 in all did not survive. 10 of those were crew - 1 of which was my grandfather William Malton Caldwell. He was a firewatchman. I'm curious if anyone else has any ancestors related to this tragedy or perhaps there are any survivors out there who may have known him. He was already in his 60's at the time of the sinking. Thank you, hope everyone is well and safe.
kath

Re: SS Robert E Lee

Gerard J. Nolan (View posts)
Posted: 8 Jan 2004 2:56AM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi:
My cousin William J. Nolan was one of the survivors of the SS ROBERT E. LEE. He had previously been torpedoes off Trinidad (SS Stanvac Paliwan??) and was being repatriated to the USA aboard the Rober E. Lee when she was sunk.

He entered the USCG, became an officer and retired as a Commander.

If you have any data concerning the owners or operators of the R.E. Lee I would appreciate them. I am a retired Captain.

Sincerely,

Gerard J. Nolan
Lottsburg
Virginia

Re: SS Robert E Lee

Posted: 8 Jan 2004 4:53PM GMT
Classification: Query
Dear Mr. Nolan -
First let me say how happy I am your cousin was one of the survivors. I cannot imagine what a harrowing experience it was for him.
SS Robert E Lee was owned by Eastern Steamship Co. Boston MA. 5184 Gross tons, Master unknown
She was a passenger ship torpedoed by U-166 at 1630 CWT 07/30/1942 about 25 mi. SE of the entrance to the Mississippe River while en route in Convoy TAW-7 from Trinidad to New Orleans with 270 passengers and 47 tons of cargo. Her complement was 131 crew, 6 Naval Armed Guard and 270 passengers, most who were survivors of the previously torpedoed Stanvac Palembang. I have more information although not as much as I'd like to have. Feel free to email me and I'd be happy to share any and all of it with you.
Kindest Regard
kath

Re: SS Robert E Lee

Posted: 23 Jan 2004 1:28PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 9 Feb 2004 7:25PM GMT
Surnames: Nolan
How exciting to read these posts! I just learned recently that myfather, Chester C Nolan, was on the Robert E Lee when was sunk in the Gulf. At the time, he had relatives that lived near the Gulf and my aunt said she can remember an uncle bringing my dad home after he was released from the hospital. The Nolans were known the be merchant marines and I wonder if William and Chester were related. Do you know?

Thanks for these really informative posts, Rebecca

Re: SS Robert E Lee

Posted: 23 Jan 2004 8:30PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Caldwell, McNeill, Coughlin, Bray, McGalliard
Sadly Rebecca, I have only a list of those lives lost with the Rbt. E Lee, not a list of survivors. Growing up, I knew almost nothing of my Grandfather other than he'd been lost to a torpedo during WWII. It was not until my mom passed away in 2002 that I ran across a letter my Grandfather had written to my dad while on shore leave in Trinidad. Ironically, it spoke of seeing him soon, however he was killed just 11 days later. My father, who was in the Air Force at the time, didn't receive that letter for well over 3 months. It was with what little information I had from the note that I began researching my Grandfather. Surprisingly I've come up with quite a bit of information surrounding that tragedy, but nobody alive who can tell me anything of my grandfather.
I wish you luck in your quest and if I should unearth any information helpful to you I'll be happy to forward it to you.
Stay well and safe.
Kindest Regards
kath

Re: SS Robert E Lee

Posted: 23 Jan 2004 9:57PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 9 Feb 2004 7:25PM GMT
Surnames: Nolan
Kathleen,

I am sorry that you lost oyur grandfather so tragically. I lost my grandmother to cancer, two years before I was born. I have always wished I had known her. I only leanred in the last week that my dad was on the Robert E Lee. My aunt told me. My mother never allowed us to speak of my dad's war experience. Now I am trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I know my father was on two ships that were torpedoed during the war, but I have not been able to learn the name of the ship. Do you know anything about a ship being sunk and the survivors being on a life raft for 13-17 days? It seems like I remember stories about that going around the family, but I don't even know how to begin to find out if it really happened to my dad.
Thanks for your gracious offer to pass on information, I will do the same. Rebecca

Re: SS Robert E Lee

Posted: 25 Jan 2004 3:40PM GMT
Classification: Query
Dear Rebecca,
I too am sorry for your loss. I don't know any specifics that will help you, but am including some site addresses that may be useful in your search. I know only that the Lee had picked up passengers that had already been torpedoed. I had, at one point found a rather comprehensive news article regarding the attack on the Lee et al, however can't find the site address at the moment. I'll see if I can locate it in my hard copy files when I get a chance and forward it to you. Good luck!!
kath

http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/archaeologic...
http://www.usmm.org/ships.html
http://www.agiweb.org/geotimes/aug02/feature_oil.html

Re: SS Robert E Lee

Posted: 31 Jul 2011 1:50AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: FitzGerald
Hi Kath,

I'm sorry for the loss of your grandfather in such a tragic disaster. I just discovered a first cousin of my grandfather was also on the SS Robert E Lee. I found his name, Francis FitzGerald, on the passenger list. Is there an official list of casualties from the disaster? There was no notation next to his name, as there were for others, i.e. "missing" or "hospital."

Thanks in advance.

Lyn

Re: SS Robert E Lee

Posted: 24 Jan 2012 10:57PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Yarbrough
I think my father may have been on the Robert E. Lee. How did you get the passenger list? I have looked for with no luck. Thanks for your help.

Re: SS Robert E Lee

Posted: 3 Feb 2012 7:35PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Brockman
Hello,

My Grandfather, John A. Brockman was abord the Robert E. Lee, I have heard the story of this of her going down many time in great detail. Unfortunately I cannot help with anyone he might have known. He passed away 2 years ago. I do know when the ship went down he gave his life vest to a woman and her child and used debris from the ship to stay afloat, as did many others, until rescued. He then joined the US Navy and spent the remainder of the war in the South Pacific.
I have recently found a site that has some information of people abord the ship and there is also a link to send information of additional passengers.

http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship1981.html

If I might be able to help in any other way my email is clcanton196@gmail.com
Casey Canton
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