The Finest Hours (Young Readers Edition) (True Rescue Series)

On February 18, 1952 at the Chatham Lifeboat Station on Massachusetts' Cape Cod, Boatswain's Mate First Class Bernie Webber is watching a growing storm intensify as a midwinter nor'easter is stalled over New England. He is 24 years old but had 10 years experience first serving in the U.S. Maritime Service during World War II, and now in the United States Coast Guard. The waters off of Cape Cod are the most dangerous, often called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Historically, there were more than 3,000 shipwrecks scattered on the ocean floor from Chatham to Provincetown. On this day, the 503-foot, 10,448-ton T2 tanker,"Pendleton" with 122,000 barrels of kerosene and home heating oil broke in half not far from the Boston coastline. Nearly at the same time during the record breaking arctic-like storm, with waves sometimes higher than 70 feet, the "Fort Mercer," another 503-foot tanker, breaks in half off Cape Cod. The U.S. Coast Guard is tasked with the nearly insurmountable rescue task of the crew members trapped on the bow and stern sections of both ships. This is a true event that could be happening in February 2015 with the record breaking storms attacking the east coast today. The events are well written and documented with many quotes of the coast guardsmen and tanker crew members. This is a short read, but unforgettable. A honorable achievement by co-authors Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman.

This was an amazing book for me to read because it was so exciting and interesting. I loved how it was located in cape cod, where I'm from, and I think everyone should get this book and read it. Im not gonna spoil anything about the book in this review, although I want to. You just have to go check this out for yourself, because it's an amazing book.

The author recreates the scene very effectively. The story is briefly told in a very effective way. I recommend the book for those are interested in the sea or weather.

With "The Finest Hours" Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman have written one of the most compelling, captivating, and fast-paced accounts in the history of maritime drama. On February 18, 1952 off Cape Cod not one but two World War Two vintage oil tankers, the "Pendleton" and the "Fort Mercer," broke in two in a tremendous storm. Depending on which of the four sections of the ships people were on greatly influenced their ability to survive in the frigid Atlantic. While the premise sounds incredible enough, the heroic battle of the US Coast Guard to rescue survivors is an amazing testament to the skill and determination to those men. I was especially impressed with the actions in Bernie Webber's tiny and obsolete CG 36500 (fortunately now restored and on display in a museum) and the accounts of the crew's quiet heroism as related by the authors. This edition is for young readers, but is perfectly suitable for adults as well: the interview with the authors at the end clarifies what was removed from this version (largely technical information on the construction methods used in building oil tankers, etc.) As it is this version is eminently readable and thoroughly engrossing. Buy whichever version you prefer, but don't miss out on this incredible and incredibly well written tale of the sea.

Amazing book. Love reminiscing my grandpas accomplishments and heroism.

Captivating, intense, emotional, instructive, and enlightening are a few of the words that come to mind when reflecting on the writing in this book. So vivid were the detailed descriptions that I felt as if I were aboard the boats during these heroic emergency operations under the most dire, seemingly impossible conditions. Recommend most highly.

I have not yet read the book myself but bought it as a gift. I have read online about this incident, so know that it is a riveting true story.

Great book!