Robert E Lee News

1928-On 9 March 1928 a pulling surfboat with nine men aboard, under the command of Boatswain's Mate First Class William Cashman, got underway from the Manomet Life-Saving to go to the rescue of the steamer Robert E. Lee. The Lee had grounded on Mary Ann Rocks in a heavy gale. While returning to the station the surfboat capsized due to extremely heavy seas, spilling all nine men into the water. Six were rescued but "Captain" Cashman, Surfman Frank W. Griswold, and Surfman Edward R. Stark perished in the line of duty in the freezing water. During the on-going search and rescue operations all 236 passengers and crew from the Robert E. Lee were saved. 1944- The U-225 torpedoed and sank the Coast Guard-manned destroyer escort USS Leopold(DE-319) off Iceland.

On December 19, 2008, the iconic Lt. Robert E. Lee riverboat will be sold to the highest bidder - regardless of price - at an unreserved public auction in St. Louis, Missouri. Built in 1969, the 19th-century replica riverboat served for decades as a popular restaurant and nightspot on the Mississippi River; it was extensively renovated in 2000-01. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers will sell the riverboat along with a large selection of heavy equipment and trucks at its upcoming unreserved public auction in St. Louis.