23 February 1918 THE ARCADIA JOURNAL, (El
Monte, California)– page 4
EL MONTE BOY ON TUSCANIA
Latest reports include the name of Ora L. McCoy of El Monte among the brave
boys who lost their lives when a German torpedo blew a hole in the big liner
Tuscania and sank her off the Irish coast, Tuesday night, February 5, 1918.
It is hard to realize that he is gone. Less than three months ago, on
November 22, 1917, he was bidding his relatives and many friends goodbye to
join his comrades in arms. He had enlisted as a mechanic in the Aero
service, and was glad when the call came to go to the training camp at San
Antonio, Texas. He was in the Gazette office and almost his last words to us
were: “I only hope I get a chance at the Kaiser.” But the Kaiser
minions were waiting in the sea and in spite of the protection of armed
vessels a torpedo reached the vital part of the big ship and sent her to the
bottom.
Ora McCoy was the son of F. M. McCoy of this city. His mother died some
months ago. He was in business here with his brother Benjamin, and was a
popular young man thirty years of age and unmarried. He was born in Shasta
County on January 23, 1888. The family came to El Monte about 1894. He was
the youngest of a family of seven boys and four girls, two of the latter
having died.
In a letter written to his brother and partner, Benjamin McCoy, from New
York on January 22, he said: “I have taken out $10,000 insurance in favor of
you. Tell the entire bunch and all the folk’s goodbye for me. We have orders
to pack up to leave, but don’t know where we are going.” He left New York on
January 24, 1918. His body now lies buried in Scotland along with 165 of his
comrades.
Newspaper - Bridgeport Telegram, Page 1; March 11, 1918
Bridgeport Boy on the Tuscania
A letter to his Brother and Sister, Bridgeport
Connecticut
"I am now across the big pond, and I am going after Fritz. He came near
getting me first, but he didn't, so it is my turn now, and believe me, if I
get as good of a shot at him, as he had at me when I was on the Tuscania,
I'll bet I won't miss him. It was quite an experience, to be torpedoed,
believe me. As much as all the boys went through, there were none of us
afraid of what was coming. We were hit at 5:55 o'clock in the afternoon, and
in less than five minutes we were all on the deck singing the "Star Spangled
Banner,” and laughing at Fritz's hard efforts in trying to take the lives of
us Yankee boys.
Well the brave boys that went down are the hero's of that day, and many days
to come. I lost several of my pals, and came near joining them in that great
sacrifice. I fell overboard accidentally with several other boys in an
attempt to straighten out some block & tackle.
I was in that cold water for almost 20 minutes when I was finally picked up
by a lifeboat. The boat was not loaded, and there was plenty of room for
more. We picked up quite a few lads. Then we drifted around until 1:00 a.m.
when we sighted land within a few hundred feet of us. The sea was rough, and
the wind was blowing hard, but how we did pull for that shore when we
sighted it. We got close enough to see that it was a broken rocky coast with
a cliff in back of the rocks. There was no place to land, so we tried hard
to pull away again, because we knew if we hit the rocks, it would be good
night!
But it was no avail. In an instant we were up against them with everybody
overboard and the boat in splinters. I was thrown up against the rocks a few
times, that took some of the bark off my anatomy. Finally I succeeded in
grabbing a rock and the next wave threw me up on top of it. There I roosted
until noon the next day. I could see the other boys in the same position as
I was. Then about noon, along came the Coast Guard, walking along the top of
the cliff and he spotted us. He got some help, a rope and a horse.
He pulled us up, one by one, more dead than alive. We lost five boys when we
attempted to land, God bless their souls. I was what you call "weak in the
knees." We stayed at a farm for a few days, then buried our dead, and
started for England. We arrived safely and we are in a rest camp for a few
days. We are all somewhat banged up but are doing nicely.
I have lost everything except the pictures I got from home. I would like to
have you send anything you wish, as I would appreciate anything. Send some
chocolate, because I like that as well as Bull Durham and papers. Don't go
buying all you see either. I got your last package, but all I have left is
the diary.
I have a good grudge against the Kaiser now, for that cold bath. The people
here treat us fine. I am in good health and quite contented. "
Allen O. Abrahams
Upper Des Moines Newspaper, Algona Iowa, 21 October 1976
Heathershaw Rites Recently At Swea City
Swea City – Samuel Heathershaw, 76, Swea City, died at Fairmont Community
Hospital Saturday, October 16, 1976. He had been there only a few days.
Death was attributed to pneumonia.
Services were held at the Swea City United Methodist Church, Dr. Merrill
Summerbell officiating. Burial was in Harrison Township Cemetery.
Samuel Heathershaw was born March 18, 1900 at Swea City to Mr. & Mrs.
William Heathershaw and educated in Swea City schools.
Mr. Heathershaw served in World War I, and on his return, became a barber,
which profession he practiced for 56 years, with shops in Swea City,
Estherville, and Arnolds Park.
He was a musician and played in several local bands, the Drum and Bugle
Corps, the school band and dance bands. He was a member of the American
Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Masonic Lodge.
Military Service is by the American Legion. Henry and Olson Funeral Homes
had charge of the arrangements.
2005 – Information Contributors:
Article submitted by: Don Sweaney of Missouri
This Reprint was granted by Mindy Baker,
Editor - 9 Jan 2006
© Copyright Material - Reprint
Permission Request can be sent to:
Algona Upper Des Moines Newspaper, 14 East Nebraska, Algona IA, 50511
Wichita Weekly Times "Safety of more men” Feb. 15, 1918; Pg. 4
The Halifax Survivors
SAFETY OF MORE MEN IS DEFINITELY ASSURED
By Associated Press
Washington. Feb. 13. 1918 – The safety of 21 more troops who sailed on the
Tuscania was assured today by announcement from the war department of men
taken from the ship at Halifax, because they were ill. The names of the 21
men, who now are removed from the list of missing and reduce the number of,
unreported to 304, follow:
Fred J. Groomer - Horseshoe Bend, Idaho
Ervin Miller – Enselmo, Nebraska
Henry E. Forshe – Hayward, Oklahoma
Howard W. Menely – Sasakwa, Oklahoma
Carl V. Jacobson – Elk City, Oregon
Stephen F. Mead – Reed, Oregon
Edward F. Parker – 403 NW D Street, Grants Pass, Oregon
Roy E. Powleson – Mill City, Oregon
Archie D. Roberts – 1257 Laurel Ave., Salem, Oregon
Elwin O. Stephens – Springfield, Oregon
William T. George – Waverly, Tennessee
Rupert A. Davis – Frisco, Texas
Jacob W. Martin – 2918 Clinton Ave., Fort Worth, Texas
Jefferson Davis Jones – Winfield, Texas
Theodore Pollok – Adkins, Texas
Albert Diaz – Mission, Texas
Rufus W. Taff – San Saba, Texas
Joe L. Taylor – 608 Avenue C, San Antonio, Texas
Roderick MacDonald – R. F. D. No. 2, Bellingham, Washington
Jesse Robert Kime – Deer Park, Washington
George R. Rogers – R. F. D. No. 2, Dallas, Wisconsin
Names in Bold are from the 158th Aero
Squadrdon
Transcription Date: February 28, 2005
Spokane Newspaper Feb. 1918
"I DID PRAY" ON TUSCANIA
Winfield S. G. Megquier, who was on the Tuscania when it was sunk February 5
off the north coast of Ireland, has written his parents, Mr. & Mrs. J. B.
Megquier of 427 North Avenue, Hillyard, Washington. The letter indicates
that Winfield is currently at his Army post in Winchester, England.
"I am well now, comfortably writing in the Y.M.C.A. rooms, but talk about
praying, we sure did pray when we knew the ship was sinking."
Young Megquier enlisted in the aviation corps on April 1, 1917, though he
will not be 21 until March 28. From Fort Wright he went to Kelly Field, San
Antonio, Texas, and spent some time at Gerstners Field, Lake Charles,
Louisiana, before sailing to France. He is with the 158th Aero Squadron,
A.E.F.
Courtesy of Steve Horstman, El Cajon, CA
