Travel-and-Leisure
Alcatraz Escapes
Due to its isolated location and the freezing San Francisco Bay waters, the authorities considered Alcatraz as an ideal place for holding dangerous prisoners. Alcatraz operated for a full 29 years and during that time; there had been no known case of any successful escape attempts.
There were 14 cases of escape attempts in Alcatraz. Most of the escapees were either caught or shot dead while some of them were presumed drowned in the San Francisco Bay waters. Joe Bowers made the first escape attempt on April 27, 1936. Bowers was shot by an officer stationed in the West road guard tower while attempting to climb over the chain link fence at the island's edge. Bowers died from injuries sustained from the fall.
Four inmates, James Boarman, Harold Brest, Floyd Hamilton, and Fred Hunter took two officers hostage while at work in the industries area in April 1943. One inmate was shot dead, two apprehended and one disappeared for two days but was later caught by correctional officers.
In May 1946, six prisoners - Bernard Coy, Joe Cretzer, Marvin Hubbard, Sam Shockley, Miran Thompson, and Clarence Carnes took control of the cell house by force. When prison officials tried to thwart the escape attempt, the prisoners decided to fight back and eventually killed two officers. Two of the inmates received the death penalty and were executed in San Quentin. This episode in the history of Alcazar is known as ?The Battle of Alcazar?
The most famous escape, popularized by the movie, ?Escape from Alcatraz?, was made by Frank Morris, John and his brother, Clarence Anglin. These three inmates disappeared from their cells and the Island on June 11, 1962. There is no evidence that they ever reached the shore, so they are officially listed as "missing and presumed drowned."
Alcatraz provides detailed information about Alcatraz, Alcatraz Ferries, Alcatraz History, and more. Alcatraz is affiliated with Timeshare. |
Alison Cole
Similar articles
Airfare Consolidators: The Airfare Stock Market
Airfare Consolidators have been saving Travelers hundreds of dollars on airline tickets for years. The big question for most consumers is: ?Where do you find these Consolidated Airfares? Read more →Alaska Fishing Still Rules the World
Industrial growth and overfishing have led to disturbance of the runs in many of the worlds top fishing locations. Washington, Oregon and California who once enjoyed healthy runs of ocean run salmon, can attest to the destruction of their native runs. Read more →Alcatraz Prison
Alcatraz Prison is located in a very small piece of island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. The prison was originally an army fort, which was later converted into and used as a federal penitentiary for 29 years (1934 to 1963). Read more →All About Cancun
Snorkeling: Yes, there are many costly tours for snorkeling in and around Cancun. But major expenses are not really necessary. And snorkeling in Cancun's crystal clear waters will be an experience one will never forget. Read more →Aphorism
The idea that seeing life means going from place to place and doing a great variety of obvious things is an illusion natural to dull minds.