The Topeka Daily State Journal Monday July 21, 1919 Learn's Of Son's Death. Topeka Sailor Washed Overboard From Destroyer Whipple. Roscoe LEE, the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Lee, 230 Michigan avenue, was washed overboard while returning home after the war had ended. His mother had received a letter telling of his death, but did not know how it came about until she talked with G. W. Morin, assistant recruiting officer at the local navy station. Lee served as chief quartermaster during the war on the destroyer, Whipple, off the coast of France. On December 22, 1918, while returning to America he was washed from the deck and never seen again. Morin served with him on the Whipple and was able to tell the mother what had happened.