The Sinking of The Can Do During the Blizzard of ’78 Audio Tapes

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Blizzard of ’78 Massachusetts: The Loss of the Pilot Ship Can-Do in Salem Sound

Lobsterman Mike’s uncle Warren was vhf watchstander during the horrific blizzard that sank the Can-Do

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The Can-Do, a pilot ship based in Gloucester, Ma., set out during the blizzard of ’78 to aid a floundering Coast Guard ship trying to rescue the crew of the oil tanker Global Hope.

Credit: Lobsterman Mike/Adam Bolonsky
Copyright: Lobsterman Mike/Adam Bolonsky

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Published by Joey Ciaramitaro

The creator of goodmorninggloucester.org Lover of all things Gloucester and Cape Ann. GMG where we bring you the very best our town has to offer because we love to share all the great news and believe that by promoting others in our community everyone wins.

12 thoughts on “The Sinking of The Can Do During the Blizzard of ’78 Audio Tapes”

  1. Listening to this is somewhat unnerving. I was never aware of this incident until a copy of ” Ten Hours Until Dawn” was given to me last year by Kenny & Artie Ochse, owners of the Point Pleasant scalloper ” Christian & Alexa”. Knowing I had fished out of Gloucester some 30 years ago, they knew I would become engrossed by it. I was, and still am. Thanks for this, Joey.

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  2. Wow!!! How well I remember. My wife used to listen to Larry Glick on WBZ every night. That night, she woke me up and they were relaying the tape of the Salem Marine Channel, Can Do and Coast Guard. It was spell-binding and tragic to listen to but next night WBZ replayed is and we listened again. A tragedy to lose the Can Do and Crew because the Capt. of the tanker paniked, thinking he was gowing aground.

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  3. Hi Bill and Kevin,
    I’m hoping I can get Mike, who holds the tapes, to find time to let me digitize them. He’s not been around much lately. I’ve done some work so far to clean up the audio. A tough job! There’s lots of static and hiss. Anyone know anyone in town skilled with audio EQ or ProTools? If we use the right filters, we can make the audio clearer.

    All best,
    Adam

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  4. Listening to this brings back lots of memories….I was the last person that left the ” Can Do ” Frank said he would be back in am prob stay in Salem or Beverly…..

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  5. Mike if you want more info on what led up to this whole incident contact me…I was on the Can Do when we brought Global Hope into Salem….& when we escorted them into anchorage

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  6. Such a sad, sad event. I have read 10 Hours Till Dawm & cryed at many times reading the book. I never knew the men on board but can only think about how brave these men were & dedicated to go out in a storm of that magnitude to try to save lives. They are at peace now.

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  7. Well, time to resurect this thread for a moment.
    I have a bunch of news papers (GDT & Boston Globe & Hearald) from just before the storm until just after it. As you can imagine, there’s also a lot of info about the Can Do in them.
    I want to get rid of these papers, would anyone be specifically interested in getting them *AND* sharing photos and/or scans of them?

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  8. I got airborne during the blizzard but unable to reach scene due to icing conditions. Located Can Do next day near Baker Island, sunk. CG helo pilot

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