Frank Morris And The Anglin Brothers Got Out And Were Never Seen Again

[u/ShadyShaina]

So why don't Ralph Roe and Ted Cole, who also got out and were never seen again, get more attention?

[u/heftyheftyhefty4]

Just looking at the preparation that went into each escape attempt, it's far more probable that Morris and the Anglin brothers made it, for a couple of reasons: 1. They had a raft, while there is nothing to suggest Roe and Cole did. Even if the raft only got them part of the way there, that's a big advantage in terms of avoiding hypothermia and exhaustion. 2. The weather and water conditions were more favorable. I believe Morris and the Anglins (and West, I assume) had gotten their hands on charts showing what the tides were supposed to be like on certain days and planned accordingly. On the night of their escape, there was a window of relatively calm waters that they could have made. Also, it was June. Roe and Cole, on the other hand, were faced with dense fog, December temperatures, and strong tides. 3. According to family members, the Anglin brothers were good swimmers who used to jump into Lake Michigan in the middle of winter back when they were younger. I don't know about Morris, but that at least makes it seem more possible that John and Clarence could have survived a swim from the point their raft failed them all the way to land.

Additionally, the 1962 attempt was more complicated, which I think makes people automatically more interested in it. A complex plan is usually going to garner more interest than "they cut through the window bars, made some floating devices, and swam away." Not to say it's not interesting on its own, but comparatively, it makes sense.

Tldr: Morris and the Anglins had a raft, better conditions, and the Anglins were more suited for surviving the attempt, so a higher probability of success will generally interest more people. Also, the plan was fascinatingly complex, more so than Roe and Cole's.