Edward Matthews was a merchant seaman aboard the SS Marine Electric when she went down in 15 - 18 ft. seas, 40 mph winds, about 30 miles east of Chincoteague, VA. Thirty-one of the 34 crew members died when they had to abandon ship into frigid, 39 degree, water. Most, including Edward, dying from hypothermia.
The SS Marine Electric was a 605 ft. coal freighter and was en-route from Norfolk to Somerset, MA. The tragedy tightened inspection standards, resulted in mandatory survival suits for winter North Atlantic runs, and helped create the now famous Coast Guard rescue swimmer program.
Edward Matthews was returning from leave (vacation) for this trip. There was a misunderstanding and Walter Parkhurst a relief able-bodied "AB" also appeared on the pier. Parkhurst according to union rules really deserved the trip but after thinking about it. He backed down and let Edward Matthews make the trip.
Edward was the son of James Matthews and Lottie Mae Waters/Johnson. He was the husband of Adrian.
U.S. Soc Sec Application
VA Death Certificate
Until the Sea Shall Free Them: Life, Death and Survival in the Merchant Marine
By Robert Frump
The SS Marine Electric was a 605 ft. coal freighter and was en-route from Norfolk to Somerset, MA. The tragedy tightened inspection standards, resulted in mandatory survival suits for winter North Atlantic runs, and helped create the now famous Coast Guard rescue swimmer program.
Edward Matthews was returning from leave (vacation) for this trip. There was a misunderstanding and Walter Parkhurst a relief able-bodied "AB" also appeared on the pier. Parkhurst according to union rules really deserved the trip but after thinking about it. He backed down and let Edward Matthews make the trip.
Edward was the son of James Matthews and Lottie Mae Waters/Johnson. He was the husband of Adrian.
U.S. Soc Sec Application
VA Death Certificate
Until the Sea Shall Free Them: Life, Death and Survival in the Merchant Marine
By Robert Frump
Edward Matthews was a merchant seaman aboard the SS Marine Electric when she went down in 15 - 18 ft. seas, 40 mph winds, about 30 miles east of Chincoteague, VA. Thirty-one of the 34 crew members died when they had to abandon ship into frigid, 39 degree, water. Most, including Edward, dying from hypothermia.
The SS Marine Electric was a 605 ft. coal freighter and was en-route from Norfolk to Somerset, MA. The tragedy tightened inspection standards, resulted in mandatory survival suits for winter North Atlantic runs, and helped create the now famous Coast Guard rescue swimmer program.
Edward Matthews was returning from leave (vacation) for this trip. There was a misunderstanding and Walter Parkhurst a relief able-bodied "AB" also appeared on the pier. Parkhurst according to union rules really deserved the trip but after thinking about it. He backed down and let Edward Matthews make the trip.
Edward was the son of James Matthews and Lottie Mae Waters/Johnson. He was the husband of Adrian.
U.S. Soc Sec Application
VA Death Certificate
Until the Sea Shall Free Them: Life, Death and Survival in the Merchant Marine
By Robert Frump
The SS Marine Electric was a 605 ft. coal freighter and was en-route from Norfolk to Somerset, MA. The tragedy tightened inspection standards, resulted in mandatory survival suits for winter North Atlantic runs, and helped create the now famous Coast Guard rescue swimmer program.
Edward Matthews was returning from leave (vacation) for this trip. There was a misunderstanding and Walter Parkhurst a relief able-bodied "AB" also appeared on the pier. Parkhurst according to union rules really deserved the trip but after thinking about it. He backed down and let Edward Matthews make the trip.
Edward was the son of James Matthews and Lottie Mae Waters/Johnson. He was the husband of Adrian.
U.S. Soc Sec Application
VA Death Certificate
Until the Sea Shall Free Them: Life, Death and Survival in the Merchant Marine
By Robert Frump
Gravesite Details
He was recovered and removed to Baltimore for burial. Please use Edit tab for updates.
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