A Survivor’s Story: The Sinking of the SS Marine Electric

The Chatham Marconi Maritime Center presents a program in the Ed Fouhy Distinguished Speaker Series.

Former Merchant Marine Officer Eugene Kelly, one of only three survivors of a crew of thirty four, and award-winning investigative journalist and author Robert Frump will recount the tragic story of the SS Marine Electric from their unique perspectives.

Eugene F. Kelly is a 1975 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He sailed on Marine Transport Lines ships during the 1970s and 80s. In January of 1983, Gene took a ninety-day assignment as the Third Officer on the SS Marine Electric, an assignment that changed his life forever.

On February 10, 1983 the SS Marine Electric, a WW II era type T-2 tanker converted into a bulk cargo carrier, departed Norfolk, VA on its regular coast run to Somerset, MA with a full load of coal. After clearing the Virginia Capes, she encountered a vicious nor’easter called by the National Weather Service the worst storm in forty years. No one then knew she would never be seen again. Foremost, this is Gene Kelly’s emotional first-person story of survival against all odds and of a spirit and determination to never give up.

Robert R. Frump is a nationally recognized journalist who won several major awards while an investigative reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer. He received, with Tim Dwyer, the George Polk Award, for his reporting on unsafe U.S. ships, and the Gerald Loeb Award for National Business Reporting.

The event will be held in-person at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) where a special presentation and book signing will follow the program, and will be live-streamed on the Chatham Orpheum Theater's large screen. Home viewing via Zoom will also be available. Registration is required for all three venue options. Tickets may be purchased through the Center’s website ChathamMarconi.org.

About the Ed Fouhy Distinguished Speaker Series

Edward M. Fouhy (1934-2015) was a communications professional and award-winning television journalist who brought the world and its stories to the American public. While a volunteer at the Center, Ed wrote and produced two videos explaining for museum visitors the importance of wireless radio communications to the rescue of RMS Titanic's survivors, and the outcome of the Battle of the Atlantic during WWII. In his honor, the Speaker Series is designed to promote knowledge and understanding of history and world events, with a special focus on the science and development of communications technology and its profound effect on our lives.
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[ Photo credits: Header photo of SS Marine Electric, photo of Bob Frump and "Until the Sea Shall Free Them" book cover courtesy of R. Frump. Photo of Gene Kelly credit Ronald Farris. Graduation photo courtesy Gene Kelly]

Images

Featured speaker Gene Kelly, survivor of the SS Marine Electric tragedy.

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Date and Time

Thursday Sep 9, 2021
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Location

Venue Options:
In-person: Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Admirals Hall, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Live-streamed: Chatham Orpheum Theater, 637 Main Street, Chatham MA 02633
At home: via Zoom Webinar

Fees/Admission

The cost is $20 each for the in-person event at MMA, where a special presentation and book signing will follow the program. The event will also be live-streamed at the Chatham Orpheum Theater with tickets at $15 each.
Home participation via Zoom Webinar costs $15 for one computer logon.
Registration is required. Tickets may be purchased at the Center?s website www.ChathamMarconi.org .

Website

https://www.chathammarconi.org

Contact Information

See website for more detail.
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