NOTE: He was born Nicholas Nelson Drobinson
DOB/DOD: January 6, 1914 (Nicholson, PA) – January 8, 1942; 28 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Dorothy R. Noel (1919-2013). She remarried to Tennyson G. Perkins on June 1, 1942.
CHILDREN: One daughter, Ruth Robinson Brennan Peabody (1939-). One son, Nicholas N. Jr. [Navy veteran; 1960-1966] (1940-2016).
LOCAL ADDRESS: Niantic
SERVICE NUMBER: Unknown
FAMILY: Born to Nicolaus Drabinson (1874-1919) and Susana Anna Korutz Drabisin Mironuk (1880-1937). One sister, Julia Drabisin Parker (1900-1904). Two brothers, John R. (1905-1933) and Stephen Drabisin (1912-1967).
CIRCUMSTANCES: The General Richard Arnold, after successfully saving another Army mine planter that had suffered engine trouble while heading to Portsmouth, sprang a leak in a storm and sank off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The only survivor of the General Arnold was the captain of the ship, William H. Chasteen. When they first tried to rescue him, he shouted, “Never mind me. Save the others! ” He, however, was the only one left to rescue, and he also survived the war. [from russpickett.com]
The Crew of the USAT General Richard Arnold
Deckhand Harleigh A. Alley; Prospect Park, ME
Mate Cletus A. Chilcote; New London, CT
Fireman Robert E. Gaboury; Groton, CT
Chief Engineer Robert H. Larkin; New London, CT
Deckhand John J. LoGioco; New London, CT
Fireman Gerald W. Reade; Somerville, MA
Deckhand Harry N. Reeves; New London, CT
Fireman Nicholas N. Robinson; Niantic, CT
Mate Robert S. Walter, Jr.; South Westport, MA
Deckhand Daniel A. Zimmer; Newark, NJ