U.S. marshals still hunt Alcatraz prisoners 50 years after notorious escape

rockin'robin · 06-11-2012, 05:34 PM

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Fifty years after three convicts used spoons to burrow out of Alcatraz Island's federal prison and escaped on a raft made of raincoats, their relatives will pay their first visit to the scene of America's most famous jail break.

Frank Morris and brothers Clarence and John Anglin, all serving time for bank robbery, vanished from the prison in San Francisco Bay on the night of June 11, 1962.

Although many historians think it's likely they perished in the frigid treacherous currents surrounding the maximum-security island prison, their bodies were never found and some believe it's possible they made it to freedom.

The trio's Houdini-like breakout from the supposedly escape-proof prison spurred the biggest manhunt since the 1932 kidnapping of aviator Charles Lindbergh's baby, and even inspired a 1979 Hollywood drama, "Escape from Alcatraz," starring Clint Eastwood.

Half a century later, the search for clues to the fate of the three men continues.

"No matter where the leads take us, or how many man hours are spent on this historic case, the Marshals Service will continue to investigate to the fullest extent possible," said David Harlow, assistant director of the U.S. Marshals' investigative unit.

Authorities have pursued thousands of leads in nearly every state in the union, he said. In 2010, for example, they exhumed a body from an unmarked grave believed, mistakenly it turned out, to contain the remains of one of the escapees.

If they survived, Morris would be 85, John Anglin would be 82, and Clarence Anglin 81.

For the first time in 50 years, the Anglins' relatives planned to visit the scene of the crime on Monday. Two sisters and two nephews want to see for themselves how the escapees used mess-hall spoons to gradually dig a small passageway through concrete walls to a ventilation shaft, how they left papier-mâché heads under their blankets to fool guards, and how they glued 50 raincoats together into a raft.

To mark the anniversary at the prison, now a tourist attraction owned by the National Park Service, the Anglins' relatives also were scheduled to take part in a panel discussion with a former prison guard, the daughter of a warden and a federal marshal who continues to search for the escapees.

"We're remembering the escape of 1962," said Alexandra Picavet, a Park Service spokeswoman. "We are not celebrating it."

'THE ROCK'

Over the years, the mystery has captured the imagination of a public seemingly sympathetic to the villains. Nevertheless, federal marshals pledged to keep pursuing Morris and the Anglin brothers until they are arrested, are determined to be dead or turn 99.

U.S. Marshal Don O'Keefe said the investigation "serves as a warning to fugitives that regardless of time, we will continue to look for you and bring you to justice."

Alford Ray Anglin, John and Clarence Anglin's brother and co-defendant in the bank robbery that sent them to prison, died in 1964, when he touched a high-voltage security wire while trying to escape from an Alabama jail, according to a news story at the time.

Alcatraz, also referred to as "The Rock," opened as a federal civilian prison in 1934 to house some of the nation's most incorrigible criminals, and its better-known inmates included Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, James "Whitey" Bulger and Robert Stroud, better known as the Birdman of Alcatraz.

The prison was closed in 1963 by then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, citing the high cost of running the prison and badly needed repairs.

U.S. marshals still hunt Alcatraz prisoners 50 years after notorious escape - Yahoo! News

diehardbiker · 06-11-2012, 07:53 PM

I have the feelings that they are still alive, hiding somewhere.

C.C.Sinned · 06-11-2012, 08:06 PM

I think Morris and the Anglin brothers made it to shore. hopefully they had a real good time with their freedom.

rockin'robin · 06-11-2012, 08:31 PM

I've always found Alcatraz interesting...as for these men surviving, I would say No....if they are, guessing they'll take their secret to their graves, which won't be long. Would be stunning if they did survive and leave a dairy of sorts to be published after their death....would become a blockbuster movie for sure....

diehardbiker · 06-11-2012, 08:54 PM

Yeah, I have had interest in Alcatraz, and would love to get inside the Rock.

The reason why I have the feelings that these escape were alive, they have all of the time to think how to escape. They would think of all possible guard reaction, leave some decoys around to confuse them. They aren't stupid and have the time to make a decent and sure fire escape.

DeafTim · 06-13-2012, 01:35 AM

Noway they are alive... I saw Alcatraz in person and dont see how they made it out of water. They most likely drowned.

caz12 · 06-13-2012, 03:58 AM

you got be kidding,america got enough current crime going without time money spent looking for these men.Anyhow they will get hero status a book and last few years spent in prison wealthy men,surely if still alive they had their punishment

metalangel · 06-13-2012, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeafTim

Noway they are alive... I saw Alcatraz in person and dont see how they made it out of water. They most likely drowned.

Did you do the 'Escapes' tour? The ranger told us about one guy who did manage to make it across to Fort Point but was in no state to continue once he got ashore, thanks to hypothermia.

John Paul Scott - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

C.C.Sinned · 06-13-2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeafTim

Noway they are alive... I saw Alcatraz in person and dont see how they made it out of water. They most likely drowned.

um there was a new doc. about the escape. it is possible they made it to shore. there have been swimmers who have tested the possibility of the swim from Alcatraz and made it. there have also been swimming competitions in the bay... it is possible.

rockin'robin · 06-13-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.C.Sinned

um there was a new doc. about the escape. it is possible they made it to shore. there have been swimmers who have tested the possibility of the swim from Alcatraz and made it. there have also been swimming competitions in the bay... it is possible.

Those waters were frigid cold...and the raft made out of raincoats...3 in it...reminds me somewhat of the Titanic when it sank and all those people in the frigid water....How long does it take a body to die in waters like that?...A hour?...Painful death.

Feel sure these 3 men must have been pretty fit, and maybe wearing layers and layers of clothes, or perhaps not, as the raft made out of raincoats must have been pretty flimsy, 50 raincoats glued together.....not able to withhold that much weight?...Could be they took turns getting into the raft, but feel time was not on their side. The article didn't say how far they had to swim/float to shore...plus they had to fight the currents, which were treacherous....

C.C.Sinned · 06-13-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin'robin

Those waters were frigid cold...and the raft made out of raincoats...3 in it...reminds me somewhat of the Titanic when it sank and all those people in the frigid water....How long does it take a body to die in waters like that?...A hour?...Painful death.

Feel sure these 3 men must have been pretty fit, and maybe wearing layers and layers of clothes, or perhaps not, as the raft made out of raincoats must have been pretty flimsy, 50 raincoats glued together.....not able to withhold that much weight?...Could be they took turns getting into the raft, but feel time was not on their side. The article didn't say how far they had to swim/float to shore...plus they had to fight the currents, which were treacherous....

no one knows for sure. people have tried it and done it. did the inmate make in the 60s, we may never know.

caz12 · 06-13-2012, 11:55 AM

if he had brains to escape i sure he would worked it out.the man was highly intelligent i think he did not care if he drowned he knew the odds...alcatraz very cruel nasty place i think he had had his punishment

diehardbiker · 06-13-2012, 12:10 PM

Mythbuster has considered this as possible success escape. They have tested and were able to pass the test. They found out it is all about tides and these three convicts has access to the information. So it is plausable.
What is likely happen is when tides risen then lowered which creates current in water that helps pull the homemade boat that is made out of 50 raincoats. They used rubber glue to put them together. Mythbuster followed exact what these three guys did and had success with it.

I have the feelings that these three guys agreed that they keep their mouth shut until last one passed away and will release the information. By that time, it would be too late for Uncle sam and it will be a great embarassment to the government. It would even worse if these three guys were blended in society and they are right in front of govenrment eyes. Is it possible? Yes you can bet.

DeafTim · 06-13-2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalangel

Did you do the 'Escapes' tour? The ranger told us about one guy who did manage to make it across to Fort Point but was in no state to continue once he got ashore, thanks to hypothermia.

John Paul Scott - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

dont forget exhaustion...

No I didnt do the tour..if them 3 guys made it to shore..they would be dead tired and would want hospital care just like JPS..

hypothermia is something you cant deal with alone..you need medical attention right away. All three would end up exactly like JPS, unconcious.

airportcop · 06-14-2012, 06:36 AM

Took the Alcatraz tour back in the 80s and went in solitary. It was an awesome tour but solitary would make one crazy. I feel that it is possible to make it ashore but highly unlikely in the cold dark night with the currents and distance to shore. Would make for an interesting story though.

radioman · 06-14-2012, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diehardbiker

Yeah, I have had interest in Alcatraz, and would love to get inside the Rock.

The reason why I have the feelings that these escape were alive, they have all of the time to think how to escape. They would think of all possible guard reaction, leave some decoys around to confuse them. They aren't stupid and have the time to make a decent and sure fire escape.

Somehow I think you are speaking from experience?

diehardbiker · 06-14-2012, 08:12 AM

LOL... maybe?

Quote:

Originally Posted by radioman

Somehow I think you are speaking from experience?

Barbaro · 06-14-2012, 09:01 AM

I believe that sharks ate them.

Babyblue · 06-14-2012, 10:11 AM

Wirelessly posted

Who knows?

06-11-2012, 05:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,285	U.S. marshals still hunt Alcatraz prisoners 50 years after notorious escape SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Fifty years after three convicts used spoons to burrow out of Alcatraz Island's federal prison and escaped on a raft made of raincoats, their relatives will pay their first visit to the scene of America's most famous jail break. Frank Morris and brothers Clarence and John Anglin, all serving time for bank robbery, vanished from the prison in San Francisco Bay on the night of June 11, 1962. Although many historians think it's likely they perished in the frigid treacherous currents surrounding the maximum-security island prison, their bodies were never found and some believe it's possible they made it to freedom. The trio's Houdini-like breakout from the supposedly escape-proof prison spurred the biggest manhunt since the 1932 kidnapping of aviator Charles Lindbergh's baby, and even inspired a 1979 Hollywood drama, "Escape from Alcatraz," starring Clint Eastwood. Half a century later, the search for clues to the fate of the three men continues. "No matter where the leads take us, or how many man hours are spent on this historic case, the Marshals Service will continue to investigate to the fullest extent possible," said David Harlow, assistant director of the U.S. Marshals' investigative unit. Authorities have pursued thousands of leads in nearly every state in the union, he said. In 2010, for example, they exhumed a body from an unmarked grave believed, mistakenly it turned out, to contain the remains of one of the escapees. If they survived, Morris would be 85, John Anglin would be 82, and Clarence Anglin 81. For the first time in 50 years, the Anglins' relatives planned to visit the scene of the crime on Monday. Two sisters and two nephews want to see for themselves how the escapees used mess-hall spoons to gradually dig a small passageway through concrete walls to a ventilation shaft, how they left papier-mâché heads under their blankets to fool guards, and how they glued 50 raincoats together into a raft. To mark the anniversary at the prison, now a tourist attraction owned by the National Park Service, the Anglins' relatives also were scheduled to take part in a panel discussion with a former prison guard, the daughter of a warden and a federal marshal who continues to search for the escapees. "We're remembering the escape of 1962," said Alexandra Picavet, a Park Service spokeswoman. "We are not celebrating it." 'THE ROCK' Over the years, the mystery has captured the imagination of a public seemingly sympathetic to the villains. Nevertheless, federal marshals pledged to keep pursuing Morris and the Anglin brothers until they are arrested, are determined to be dead or turn 99. U.S. Marshal Don O'Keefe said the investigation "serves as a warning to fugitives that regardless of time, we will continue to look for you and bring you to justice." Alford Ray Anglin, John and Clarence Anglin's brother and co-defendant in the bank robbery that sent them to prison, died in 1964, when he touched a high-voltage security wire while trying to escape from an Alabama jail, according to a news story at the time. Alcatraz, also referred to as "The Rock," opened as a federal civilian prison in 1934 to house some of the nation's most incorrigible criminals, and its better-known inmates included Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, James "Whitey" Bulger and Robert Stroud, better known as the Birdman of Alcatraz. The prison was closed in 1963 by then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, citing the high cost of running the prison and badly needed repairs. U.S. marshals still hunt Alcatraz prisoners 50 years after notorious escape - Yahoo! News

06-11-2012, 07:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
diehardbiker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: In back of Superduty Posts: 11,252	I have the feelings that they are still alive, hiding somewhere. __________________ J-MAC's quote: "People who try and fail are more superior than people who don't try at all" "If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny." Thomas Jefferson (1778) Avatar picture is Cape Hatteras light house in OBX.

06-11-2012, 08:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
C.C.Sinned Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,476	I think Morris and the Anglin brothers made it to shore. hopefully they had a real good time with their freedom. __________________

06-11-2012, 08:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,285	I've always found Alcatraz interesting...as for these men surviving, I would say No....if they are, guessing they'll take their secret to their graves, which won't be long. Would be stunning if they did survive and leave a dairy of sorts to be published after their death....would become a blockbuster movie for sure.... airportcop likes this.

06-11-2012, 08:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
diehardbiker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: In back of Superduty Posts: 11,252	Yeah, I have had interest in Alcatraz, and would love to get inside the Rock. The reason why I have the feelings that these escape were alive, they have all of the time to think how to escape. They would think of all possible guard reaction, leave some decoys around to confuse them. They aren't stupid and have the time to make a decent and sure fire escape. __________________ J-MAC's quote: "People who try and fail are more superior than people who don't try at all" "If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny." Thomas Jefferson (1778) Avatar picture is Cape Hatteras light house in OBX.

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06-13-2012, 01:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
DeafTim Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utica,OH Posts: 2,327	Noway they are alive... I saw Alcatraz in person and dont see how they made it out of water. They most likely drowned. airportcop likes this. __________________ It might be,it could be...It is! A homerun! HOLY COW!! Harry Caray Mitt: I have 5 point plan President Obama: Mitt doesnt have 5 point plan, He has one point plan! (ZINGER) Mitt Romney is a scam!!

06-13-2012, 03:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
caz12 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,828	you got be kidding,america got enough current crime going without time money spent looking for these men.Anyhow they will get hero status a book and last few years spent in prison wealthy men,surely if still alive they had their punishment radioman and airportcop like this.

06-13-2012, 11:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
caz12 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,828	if he had brains to escape i sure he would worked it out.the man was highly intelligent i think he did not care if he drowned he knew the odds...alcatraz very cruel nasty place i think he had had his punishment

06-13-2012, 12:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
diehardbiker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: In back of Superduty Posts: 11,252	Mythbuster has considered this as possible success escape. They have tested and were able to pass the test. They found out it is all about tides and these three convicts has access to the information. So it is plausable. What is likely happen is when tides risen then lowered which creates current in water that helps pull the homemade boat that is made out of 50 raincoats. They used rubber glue to put them together. Mythbuster followed exact what these three guys did and had success with it. I have the feelings that these three guys agreed that they keep their mouth shut until last one passed away and will release the information. By that time, it would be too late for Uncle sam and it will be a great embarassment to the government. It would even worse if these three guys were blended in society and they are right in front of govenrment eyes. Is it possible? Yes you can bet. C.C.Sinned and rockin'robin like this. __________________ J-MAC's quote: "People who try and fail are more superior than people who don't try at all" "If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny." Thomas Jefferson (1778) Avatar picture is Cape Hatteras light house in OBX. Last edited by diehardbiker; 06-13-2012 at 12:47 PM.

06-14-2012, 06:36 AM	#15 (permalink)
airportcop Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,088	Took the Alcatraz tour back in the 80s and went in solitary. It was an awesome tour but solitary would make one crazy. I feel that it is possible to make it ashore but highly unlikely in the cold dark night with the currents and distance to shore. Would make for an interesting story though. __________________ Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

06-14-2012, 09:01 AM	#18 (permalink)
Barbaro Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: dæləs Posts: 1,308	I believe that sharks ate them. __________________ We know what we are but not what we may be. -Author:Shakespeare

06-14-2012, 10:11 AM	#19 (permalink)
Babyblue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 12,001	Wirelessly posted Who knows? Last edited by Babyblue; 06-14-2012 at 10:12 AM.

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