Letters From Alcatraz - Michael Esslinger [235]
He claims that he spotted lights on the mainland; attempted to swim towards them and the tide carried him by; he then selected another light and repeated the performance, and this continued until he was washed on to a rock out near the Golden Gate Bridge. The tide was so swift and waves so high at this point that he claims to have almost drowned and could not maneuver around on the rock to keep the waves from covering him closing off his breath. It was at this point that he was rescued by members of the Fire Department at the Presidio of San Francisco and taken into custody by the Military Police at the Presidio. He was taken to the emergency hospital for treatment, but claims he does not recall the Associate Warden entering the room, and fails to remember several other things for a short period of time.
The inmates slid down this sewage drain pipe to make their escape into the icy Bay waters.
Under the cover of night, rain, and heavy fog, John Paul Scott washed up at Fort Point near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, exhausted and groggy from the freezing water.
Over and above this, he stated he had heard in the yard for some months that there was a hole in the kitchen basement. He inferred but would not flatly state that some other inmate had partially cut through this window a long time ago. He indicated that the outside section of the window was partially cut by the use of a spatula that had notched edges. He added that the spatula and scraper used for this had been disposed of by putting them down the old butcher shop drain, and it should be noted that several days ago a spatula and scraper fitting that description was actually removed from that drain, and it was deteriorated to the extent to indicate that it had been there for several months.
He further claimed that the rubber gloves used for floatation purposes had been in the kitchen basement hidden behind one of the refrigerators for a long-long time. He would not establish a definite or approximate date. He claimed that he had made up five or six strings immersed in floor wax and thoroughly coated with scouring powder, and left them in his trousers that were hanging in the kitchen basement. These trousers were found but no such string could be located.
The two sections of bars had been removed and concealed underneath the large refrigerator to prevent early detection. He continually insisted that the so-called tool-proof stool bars were severed by this homemade abrasive string, and inferred that it had not taken very long to complete the job. The actual cuts on the bars had circular grooves and were highly polished and fresh, indicating that his described method was highly plausible. He offered as an excuse for his escaping that he had a long sentence and had no desire whatever to return to his detainer.
O.G. BLACKWELL
Warden
The following is Warden Blackwell’s report to the Bureau of Prisons on Daryl Parker, also dated December 17, 1962:
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT of JUSTICE
BUREAU OF PRISONS
UNITED STATES PENITENTARY
ALCATRAZ CALIFORNIA
December 17, 1962
MEMORANDUM FOR FILE
Re: Statement of Inmate Daryl Lee Parker, #1314-AZ
At approximately 6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 16, 1962, inmate PARKER was returned from escape status and brought to the Associate Warden’s office. During questioning he was very reluctant to make any statements, however, eventually he did say that he and inmate J. PAUL SCOTT, #1403-AZ, left the main dining hall shortly after the 5:20 p.m. count, gained access to the basement by way of the elevator, and escaped through the end window on the east side of the kitchen basement after having removed two sections of the bars. From this point, he claims that he climbed up the drainpipe and gained access to the roof, crossed over and went down the other side by means of an electric extension cord, then proceeded to the water and entered. From this point on he does not know what happened to SCOTT, or how he reached "Little Alcatraz."
Following this, he refused to make any further statements.
O.G. BLACKWELL
Warden