From Iceland — Icelanders To Re-Enact Alcatraz Escape Swim

Icelanders To Re-Enact Alcatraz Escape Swim

Published July 25, 2012

Three Icelanders will soon attempt the famous swim taken by three Alcatraz escapees 50 years ago.
In June 1962, prisoners Clarence Anglin, John Anglin and Frank Morris managed to escape from Alcatraz through meticulous planning, making dummies of themselves, and climbing through ventilation shafts before making their way to the island’s shore. The three were never heard from again, and their fate is unknown.
DV now reports that three Icelanders – Benedikt Hjartarson, Jón Sigurðarson, Árni Þór Árnason – will attempt to swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco this Saturday.
While the swim itself is only about 4 km, the currents around the island are notoriously strong and swift, aside from the very cold temperatures of the waters and the presence of sharks. These dangerous waters are what kept Alcatraz a prison site for nearly a century. Fortunately, all three men are experienced sea swimmers, but this will make their first attempt at swimming from Alcatraz.
You can follow the swim itself through their webpage.

Support The Reykjavík Grapevine!
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!

Next:
Previous:



Show Me More!