[June 1, 2018] Occasionally leaders are inspired by what they read or hear. One story stands out that demonstrates leadership under duress and courage at its finest. Told to a local High School class by a Coast Guard Rear Admiral, the story of the greatest small boat rescue in the history of the United States was what encouraged many to join the maritime service.
On February 18, 1952, Coast Guardsmen from the 1st Coast Guard District responded to a maritime disaster that would go down in history as one of the greatest rescues of all time. During the height of a winter nor’easter, two very old tankers split in half placing their crews’ lives in danger.
Petty Officer 1st Class Bernie Webber and his volunteer crew were directed to get underway, to cross the Chatham bar in their CG-36500 (a small wooden rescue boat) and look for survivors from the SS Pendleton (a large 10K ton freighter). Their problem? Cross the Chatham bar in the storm would be nearly impossible and would likely result in their deaths.
To make matters more difficult in the rescue was that it was dark, their compass and boat windshield was destroyed, and there was no exact location of the SS Pendleton. The odds were stacked against the Coast Guard rescue.
Webber and his crew brought their small craft alongside the tanker in the mountainous seas using their searchlight and timing the movement of the swells. They picked up each crew member one by one until the last one which was killed during the rescue. Amazingly, they rescued 32 crewmembers in their overloaded boat.
“Saving a life is the highest level someone can go in the service of others.” – Maritime Historian and author Theresa Mitchell Barbo
Of course, that is not the end of the story because others were rescued that night. But the greatest small boat rescue in history stands as a marvel to seamanship, courage, determination, and brazen audacity.
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You can read more about the rescue here:
Like the American Indians of the past, bravery of the US Coast Guardsmen is famous the world over.
Doug, you are probably right but then I hear stories about our brave military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan and all the things they’ve done. Maybe we’re too quick to cut out our younger folks.
Whenever I come across a story like this it makes me think about how things have changed in the world and how much less bravery there is. Sad but this appears to be the case. Today, I don’t think Webber would have had as many volunteers. Just my thinking.
Yes, all of us appreciate you drawing attention to this rescue. 😉
Really good article today, thank you Gen Satterfield.
You can find the “real story” of this disaster and rescue in many places but here is one in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/07/13/the-real-life-story-behind-disneys-forthcoming-coast-guard-rescue-movie-the-finest-hours/?utm_term=.47ef18169210
If only we were all so brave and daring!
You can get a copy of Bernie Webber’s story here. There is a webpage dedicated to the book and includes photographs from the rescue and lots more.http://berniewebber.com/
This is really a great website, so I recommend people check it out. Thanks Andrew for the link.
You’re right Andrew. Excellent site.
Here’s an interesting article that separates fact from fiction about the real rescue vs the Hollywood version.
http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/finest-hours/
Great topic for my Friday morning coffee and breakfast. Loved it.
Another good article that pounds home the idea that leadership is often not easy, frequently dangerous, and always something that helps save the day.
After a little more research, I will be telling my students today this story. It is something I do on Friday’s to give my students a chance to think about it over the weekend.
Wow, going over that breaker in such a storm must have been terrifying.
I read about this event years ago when I lived near the Gulf Coast. I was interested in boating, rescues, and other coastal issues. This story was part of what I’d discovered. I also read the story links to several other good articles. Good that you show leadership in so many places. It is what holds us together.
Gen Satterfield, I much appreciate your example of the USCG setting the standard for bravery under emergency conditions. They do this day in and day out without much recognition and they are sometimes not given the level of respect they all deserve.
As always, great to hear from you, Edward. I’m looking forward to your next article.
I’m a big fan of yours Mr. Kennedy. Looking forward to reading your next article. Thank you.
Agree completely. Thank you.
🙂
Thanks for using the US Coast Guard as an example of physical courage and leadership. This service is often forgotten but not by those of us in the military.
I agree. Thanks Lynn.
This is one of my favorite stories from the U.S. Coast Guard. I was given the book as a gift a few years ago by a “coastie” who was a friend of mine from long ago.
I loved this story and only heard about it because the movie was recently on cable television. Thanks for the article this Friday.
Me too ! Cheers !
Hey Joey, you from Austrailia?
Yes, my whole family moved here before I was born. They were from southern England and decided the climate was better down under.
😉 Cheers!