Hi Ben,
I hope that I might be able to help here. I believe Shelley may be away at the moment.
Thanks to Shelley's kindness, I met Marshall Drew on numerous occasions starting in 1984. Marshall would regularly come to Shelley's home to visit with Titanic friends. I remember him having a wonderful sense of humor, dry in a way, but he was very friendly and interested to talk with anyone who shared his love of history, the art world, photography and life in New York.
I was always amazed at how much Marshall's recollections of the Titanic disaster were full of detail. I especially remember his telling of the morning of rescue. He remembered waking from his slumber in the bottom of the lifeboat and looking out on a sea filled with icebergs, some of which were so close "you could reach out and touch them with the oars!" Marshall also would laugh at his memories of the other kids being hauled aboard the
Carpathia in coal bags and sacks. He remembered how silly they seemed to be crying and carrying on during the rescue, and how, he, as a "cool" kid, couldn't wait for the adventure of being hoisted aboard the
Carpathia. After he arrived on deck, he said he almost wanted to be given another opportunity to be "lifted" aboard since he enjoyed the experience. He then recalled, as is well known, that he went in search of food, and didn't even wait for his Aunt Lulu to follow him. He was later found mingling with some Carpathia crew members who were "showing" him the ship.
I can recall so many details of Marshall's stories that it would take a book to relate them all. If you have anything specific that you would like to know, please don't hesitate to ask.
Marshall's sense of humor was contagious. I remember him telling the story of driving down the dirt road leading to Shelley's house after a night of Titanic talk and a drink or two. Shelley can tell the story better than I, but apparently Marshall, in his little sports car, drove up the wall of the dirt road and his car flipped over. Shelley found him the next morning and his first response was "I was following the road, and than I found myself looking up at the stars!"
Marshall was a beloved character in his hometown of Westerly, Rhode Island. It would not be unusual to see him speeding down one of the roadways enroute to an art show or photography club meeting. He had countless numbers of friends who all loved his wit and positive outlook on life. Even in his 80s, his mind was much younger and he yearned to capture anything nature beautifully created - either through his camera lens or his painting tools. He was extremely "independant" and very feisty.
Shelley and Marshall were the best of friends, and I will always be grateful to Shelley for giving me the opportunity to meet Marshall. The few years that I knew him, he made an unforgettable impression, and I will always remember his correspondence - the envelope always being completed with caligraphy. I almost hated to open the envelope for fear of ruining his work!
Perhaps when Shelley finds a moment, she can and will relate more. Her memories of this remarkable man are fascinating to hear.
I hope this information will be of help, Ben, and good luck on your project involving Marshall Drew.