Coast guard station chatham, chatham, massachusetts. The ships sinking and crew rescue along with breakup and rescue of its sister ship fort mercer is the topic of the 2009 book the finest hours. Coast guard s most daring sea rescue scribner, 2009 by michael. The most recent of several books and articles is the finest hours. R ock harbor the heroic rescue of 32 seamen off the chatham coast more than 60 years ago has been called the greatest smallboat rescue in coast guard history. May 22, 2009 the chatham coast guard station ordered a fourman crew to take the cg36500, a 36foot wooden lifeboat, on a rescue mission. The coast guard s first 44foot rescue boat, which replaced the 36foot series, stands in front of the chatham station. He was a petty officer assigned to station chatham, massachusetts, and part of his duties were that of coxswain of coast guard motor lifeboat cg 36500. A heroic actionthriller, the finest hours is the remarkable true story of the greatest small boat rescue in coast guard history. He was the last survivor of a crew that rescued 32 seamen from raging seas six miles off the coast there, on the. Boat in heroic 1952 rescue gets a second life the boston globe. The finest hours relives a perilous, forgotten rescue the new.
Bernard bernie webber, a crewman at coast guard station chatham. Last surviving crewman from historic coast guard rescue. R ock harbor the heroic rescue of 32 seamen off the chatham coast more than 60 years ago has been called the greatest smallboat rescue in coast guard. The reallife story behind disneys forthcoming coast guard rescue movie, the finest hours. The reallife story behind disneys forthcoming coast guard.
The finest hours and millions of other books are available for instant access. Motor lifeboat cg36500 was built in 1946 at curtis bay, maryland coast guard yard, as all 36 footers were, and stationed at the chatham, massachusetts coast guard lifeboat station. The finest hours recounts the true story of the most daring sea rescue in us coast guard history. Fitzgerald was one of four coast guardsmen who left chatham in a 36foot wooden boat, at night in a blizzard, and in the teeth of 60foot waves, to rescue the. Crossing the chatham shoal, the cg36 rolled over twice, and the compass. The story covers the history of chatham, dating back to the monomoyick native in. Published may 19th 2009 by scribner book company first published 2007. The reallife story behind disneys forthcoming coast. Bernard challen webber may 9, 1928 january 24, 2009 was a united states coast guardsman. The film is based on the bestselling book the finest hours. The heroic rescue of the pendleton crew, 1952 new england.
Nov 25, 2017 the bars and shoals surrounding chatham massachusetts make it a treacherous area to navigate. Chatham station was on its own in the pendleton rescue because the boston and nantucket coast guards had dispatched all their crews. As a young petty officer, webber was the coxswain of the. Consequently, during the late 19th and early 20th century chatham had three active lighthouses and four lifesaving stations. Two tankers down chronicles famous coast guard cape cod rescue. The stern ultimately grounded off monomoy island, south of chatham.
The ships sinking and crew rescue along with breakup and rescue of its sister. Mar 04, 2016 discover the story behind disneys the finest hours as author michael tougias takes you through the timeline of the real life events. The services of searchand rescue require a degree of expertise that the coast guard has had a century to build up, tordiffe said. New book chronicles 1952 coast guard rescues off chatham. The cg36500s crew was able to rescue 32 crewmembers of the pendleton, making this the greatest smallboat rescue in u. Apr 14, 2008 chatham, ma prweb april 14, 2008 two tankers down, a book about the u. Bernie and crew received the coast guards coveted gold lifesaving medal, and. Nov 17, 2018 the historic rescue, known as the greatest small boat rescue in coast guard history, was documented by casey sherman in a book that was later portrayed in a disney movie, the finest hours. At this point, the coast guard realized that they were dealing with two ships. United states coast guard station chatham is a united states coast guard station located in chatham, massachusetts. The finest hours true story confirms that after being smashed by a mountainous wave, the cg36500 rescue boat was thrown high in the air, landing on its side. I listened to the rescue on the coast guard radio, ryder said.
For his crews rescue of 32 of the 33 pendleton crew members, the coast guard nominated webber for its gold lifesaving medal, one of the services highest awards. The selfrighting boat quickly corrected itself and was ready to face the next giant wave. It was taken out of service in 1968 after being reengined from a sterling gas engine to diesel. The crew had to go out, but it was far from certain that they would return. Uscg station chatham is a multimission unit responsible for. Jan 24, 2016 considered the greatest small boat rescue in coast guard history, it has been the subject of several books and now, a major movie. All four crew of cg36500 were awarded the coast guard s gold lifesaving medal rather than just the coxswain, the typical treatment. The finest hours tells the story of a worldfamous coast guard rescue that took place off the chatham coast in 1952.
Starring chris pine, casey affleck, ben foster, eric bana based on the book. Coast guard, local agencies rescue boater off chatham. Last surviving crewman of greatest small boat rescue in. The coast guard crew faced 60 foot waves, hurricane force winds and blizzard conditions to rescue 33 sailors who survived the shipwreck. Warrant officer cluffs expertise in smallboat lifesaving operations and confidence in. The finest hours is a 2016 american action thriller film directed by craig gillespie and produced by walt disney pictures. The rescue of the survivors of the shipwrecked pendleton is considered one of the most daring rescues of the united states coast guard. He is the hero of the book and movie, the finest hours, and is played in the. Malcolm hillgartner did a good job with narrating the book. The coast guard plays a lead role in both the historic and modern stories featured in mitchell zukoffs frozen in time. A memorial service was held to honor coast guard chief warrant officer bernard webber, 80, who passed away jan. The historic rescue, known as the greatest small boat rescue in coast guard history, was documented by casey sherman in a book that was later portrayed in a disney movie, the finest hours.
Coast guard s most daring sea rescue, by michael j. Daniel webster cluff july 4, 1916 march 5, 1989 was a united states coast guard officer who led one of the u. Jan 29, 2016 the finest hours brings to life the most daring rescue in the history of the u. The 44 motor lifeboat is a unique craft in the overall development of american coastal lifeboats, having been used successfully for the past fortytwo years around the.
Presented in digital 3d and imax 3d, the film will transport audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fullyimmersive cinematic experience on an epic scale. Oct 17, 2015 famed ss united states possibly doomed to the scrapyard. The oscarnominated writing team behind the fighter 2010. Coast guard s most incredible small boat rescue, will be published by lyons press in august 2008. The 60th anniversary of the pendleton rescue coast guard. Jan 29, 2016 i f youve never felt a strong sense of connection to the u. Meet the real bernie webber, miriam, richard livesey and andy fitzgerald. Jan 28, 2016 while one crew was sent out to assist the fort mercer, the chatham lifeboat station, known today as chatham coast guard station, learned of the pendletons predicament. There was a lot of snow at the coast guard station and chatham lighthouse this past week as the stations roof and lawn. Famed 1952 coast guard rescue off chatham recounted in.
Coast guard to provide a forum to talk about our work providing maritime safety, security and stewardship for. Jan 12, 2016 a lot of cape codders are looking forward to the soontobe released movie about the dramatic sea rescue carried out by members of the chatham coast guard station during the winter of 1952. The untold story behind the greatest rescue in coast guard. Feb 03, 2012 sixty years after local coast guardsmen carried out the most famous smallboat rescue in coast guard history off the coast of chatham, commemorations are being planned in chatham and boston and in hollywood. Moreover, this book focuses on the exploits of four men who were members of my part of the coast guard the boat force, those coasties serving in small boats who have. Probably one of the most legendary boats that was ever introduced into american coastal rescue service was the 44 motor lifeboat. In the 1950s, even more than now, the coast guard was the lowly. The other book i read about the great work of the coast guards was a very well. Coast guard, and i spent years of active and reserve duty in the coast guard. Gouthro said hes extremely pleased with both the book and. A movie, the finest hours is being released on jan. Bosn cluffs initial reaction was to dispatch his remaining crew, including bm1 webber, to the north beach area between orleans and chatham in hopes they could render assistance to pendeltons crew if either section of.
Local citizens listening to this rescue story unfold via radio met the cg36500 at the pier and immediately helped them remove the survivors and drive them to the warmth of the station. Nov 16, 2018 chatham the last surviving member of the coast guard crew aboard the motor lifeboat 36500 during the historic 1952 rescue of 32 seamen off the stricken oil tanker pendleton rescue has died. The finest hours is about one of the most dangerous rescue missions in the history of the u. Retired coast guardsman from wrentham recalls daring sea. By noon on 18 february, there were four separate hulks adrift off cape cod. In february of 1952, one of the worst storms to ever hit the east coast struck new england, damaging an oil tanker off the coast of cape cod and literally ripping it in half. Sixty years after local coast guardsmen carried out the most famous smallboat rescue in coast guard history off the coast of chatham, commemorations are being planned in chatham and boston and in hollywood. Andrew fitzgerald, who saved men from a stormsundered. Perhaps you have visited the commemoration plaque at chathams lighthouse beach, or read the history books behind the greatest coast guard small boat. Chatham turns back the clock to 1952 to film the daring pendleton rescue.
That boat was delivered to chatham from the coast guard shipyard on march 25, 1963. Boatswains mate bernard webber was ordered to pick a crew and take out the cg36500, a 36foot wooden life boat, to rescue the crew of the pendleton. Film about dramatic coast guard rescue off chatham opens this. Tougias does an excellent job of relating the coast guard rescue of two tankers. Heroic coast guard rescue off cape cod now major motion.
This is the greatest rescue by small boats in coast guard history. Devastation, courage and the heroic rescue efforts of u. Published by the authorcontact him via 41 wellington court. Local history books including the pendleton rescue where the. The coast guard arrives at the chatham fish pier during the 1952 rescue of two tankers that broke in half during a noreaster off cape cod. The new film, which stars chris pine and casey affleck, is based on the true story of one of the most dangerous and daring rescue attempts in coast guard history.
Chatham turns back the clock to 1952 to film the daring. Fans who would like to read more about coast guard missions and rescues may enjoy this account of the guard s gallant response to. The story behind the disney movie the finest hours youtube. Coast guard comment policy we welcome your comments on postings at all coast guard sitesjournals.
The tv mercer about 40 miles offshore, the tv pendelton about 10 miles. Today coast guard station chatham is equipped with three lifeboats that were specifically designed for the conditions encountered off chatham s coast. It was truly the greatest small boat rescue in coast guard history. Coast guard participant remembers the historic rescue.
Coast guard station chatham chatham, massachusetts. Chatham to mark coast guards greatest rescue entertainment. This book completely blew me away with how two large tankers split in half during a huge winter storm, and the heroic rescue efforts that were made during horrible weather conditions. The station was the origin of the famous 1952 pendleton rescue. This article was published 2912016 1499 days ago, so information in it may no longer be current based on the true story of a heroic 1952 u. The movie, the finest hours, starring chris pine, casey affleck, and holliday grainger is a dramatization of the rescue, based on a book of the same name by michael j. R ock harbor the heroic rescue of 32 seamen off the chatham coast more than 60 years ago has been called the greatest smallboat rescue. Coast guards largest smallboat rescue operations in the midst of a new england winter storm on february 18 through 19, 1952, as chatham lifeboat stations officerincharge. The finest hours is the bigbudget disney film shot partly in chatham that tells the story of the incident, still considered the greatest smallboat rescue in coast guard history. I had the great honor of getting to know andy, not only writing the book, but also working on our film, the finest hours. Coast guards most daring sea rescue tougias, michael j. In 2014, walt disney studios filmed the story of the daring rescue on location in chatham, cohasset and at the former fore river shipyard in quincy. Fitzgerald was one of four coast guardsmen who left chatham in a 36foot wooden boat, at night in a blizzard, and in the teeth of 60foot waves, to rescue.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the finest hours. Ross said that in the long history of the coast guard, this is the greatest smallboat rescue the coast guard has seen, ever. This story about the pendleton rescue was updated in 2020. Scott silver, paul tamasy, and eric johnson have collaborated on the screenplay based on the book from casey sherman and michael j touglas.
Like most 36s, it had an active and glorious career with many rescues. While the cg36500 was leaving chatham harbor, her compass and windshield were smashed and the rescue boat began shipping water. The coast guard now knew for the first time it had two stricken t2 tankers and four different possible rescue situations. Memorial service for coast guardsman bernard webber youtube. The finest hours tells the story of a worldfamous coast guard rescue that took.
The story of the chatham stations daring rescue has become a coast guard legend, and also inspired some policy changes in its aftermath. Coast guard to provide a forum to talk about our work providing maritime safety, security and stewardship for the american people to secure the. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The most amazing stories often turn out to be the true ones. A rescue crew from the chatham coast guard station, of which gouthro was close friends with, made the daring, and historical rescue. Coast guard s most daring sea rescue kindle edition by tougias, michael j. Bernard webber and his three fellow coast guardsmen return to the chatham fish pier after. Chathamkent opp called on the united states coast guard to rescue a man from the frigid water of lake st.
The most recent celebration was held in chatham on march 18, 2012, honoring the 60th anniversary of the pendleton rescue, as part of chatham s 300th anniversary program. Jul 26, 2014 another tremendous rescue at sea took place years earlier and about 100 miles to the north. It was a frigid february night almost 63 years ago when one of the most daring rescues in the history of the united states coast guard took place six miles off chatham. You have to go out, but you dont have to come back. February 18, 1952 saw the coast guard rescue a total of 70 men from two t2 tank vessels, the fort mercer and thependelton. A memoir of coast guard missions on the last frontier. The four coasties from chatham received the coast guard highest award the gold life saving metal. Webber and his crew of three rescued the crew of the stricken t2 tanker ss pendleton, which had broken in half during a horrific. Chatham coast guard, lighthouses and lifesaving stations. Its corny and oldfashioned, but tale remains true to itself. It would be a great loss to see that expertise moved to any.
Its well known in seafaring circles, and it was the subject of a seasoaked nail biter of a book published in 2009, written by michael j. They have since revised things so that they will not send. Ss pendleton was a type t2sea1 tanker built in 1944 in portland, oregon, united states. Famed 1952 coast guard rescue off chatham recounted in book.
Frump about a famous coast guard rescue off chatham, ma. Having lost the lifeboats compass during the nearimpossible passage over the chatham bar and sailing in a snow storm in the dark, the cg36500 miraculously found the stern of the pendleton. Miraculously, they found their way across the chatham bar and into safe harbor. Uscg station chatham is a multimission unit responsible for responding to all threats to the maritime environment. Coast guard, in which a crew of four risked their lives to save 33 men stranded at sea in the middle of a. Coast guard hero watches 1952 rescue made into movie the. The screenplay, written by eric johnson, scott silver, and paul tamasy, is based on the finest hours. Saturday events mark 65th anniversary of finest hours rescue. The coast guard has a saying, said casey sherman, coauthor with michael tougias of the finest hours, a new book about the rescue. Coast guard s largest smallboat rescue operations in the midst of a new england winter storm on february 18 through 19, 1952, as chatham lifeboat stations officerincharge. The coast guard makes a daring rescue attempt off the coast of cape cod after a pair of oil tankers are destroyed during a blizzard in 1952. A coast guard air station cape cod mh60 jayhawk helicopter aircrew airlifted a boater tuesday off chatham bar, cape cod, massachusetts. Jul, 2015 the reallife story behind disneys forthcoming coast guard rescue movie, the finest hours. Chatham coast guard station loses surf designation cape.
Its a worthy tribute and clearly disneyinfluenced to what is described as the greatest coast guard smallboat rescue. The true story behind the us coast guards most daring rescue, by michael j. Chatham the last surviving member of the coast guard crew aboard the motor lifeboat 36500 during the historic 1952 rescue of 32 seamen off the stricken oil tanker pendleton rescue has died. Boat in heroic 1952 rescue gets a second life the boston.
He was a petty officer assigned to station chatham, massachusetts, and part of his duties were that of coxswain of coast guard motor lifeboat cg. Jan 26, 2016 the most amazing stories often turn out to be the true ones. The vessel replaced the venerable cg36500, which rescued 32 men from the wreck of the pendleton in 1952. Andrew fitzgerald at the coast guard station at chatham light on cape cod in 2014. The finest hours relives a perilous, forgotten rescue. May 22, 2009 the only hope for survivors stranded in the broken stern is the effort of four young coast guard sailors in a small wooden boat, battling mountainous waves, gale force winds, snow and freezing temperatures.