Tag: The Finest Hours

COAST GUARD’S LAST CREWMAN FROM THE HISTORIC CHATHAM BAR PENDLETON RESCUE DIES

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CAPE COD TIMES

November 15, 2018

By Beth Treffeisen

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.

Andrew Fitzgerald — known as a funny, brave and reluctant hero — was 86.

“It was a dark and stormy night,” Fitzgerald would say at the start of the story about the harrowing night of Feb. 18. 1952, which forever changed his life.

As a nor’easter raged off the shores of Cape Cod, two large tankers split in half, propelling the then 20-year-old Coast Guard engineer and three other Coast Guardsmen into history on their 36-foot boat.

Facing 60-foot high seas, the four men boarded the 36500, led by coxswain Bernard Webber, and headed out into the storm to find the sinking tanker Pendleton, where 33 men waited anxiously for help.

As the crew of the 36500 navigated through the Chatham sandbar, which is tricky enough on a good day, they lost their compass, said Peter Kennedy, who worked on the major restoration of the boat.

Fitzgerald was in the front of the boat when it hit some swells and knocked him all the way back toward the rear, he said.

Then, the engine stalled and Fitzgerald had to go down below and re-prime it, said Kennedy. Fitzgerald was burned by the hot plugs as he restarted the engine, Kennedy said.

“He had quite a history,” said Kennedy. “He was thrown out of the boat and got back into the boat to restart the engine in 30- to 40-foot seas.”

The crew of the Coast Guard rescue boat 365000 after rescuing 32 crewmen from the tanker Pendleton off the coast of Chatham in 1952. From left are Bernie Webber, Andrew Fitzgerald, Richard Livesey, and Ervin Maske. Coast Guard Photo

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DON’T MISS THIS FILM: THE FINEST HOURS!!!

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My husband Tom and I went to see The Finest Hours last night. It was superb, and very suspenseful–I wasn’t just at the edge of my seat, I was hiding under my coat! My friend Donna Casey was one of the costume designers and the costumes were fantastic; the female lead’s 1950’s dresses and coats were especially exquisite. It was wonderful to see Donna’s name in the credits!

The Finest Hours is the story of what is considered the Coast Guards greatest small boat rescue and when you see the film, you will understand why.

This Disney feature film was primarily shot in Massachusetts. Thanks to our amazing and super hard working House Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante for the film tax credit, which keeps Massachusetts crew and production teams, and myriad ancillary businesses, working at well paying jobs!

THE FINEST HOURS OPENING FRIDAY!

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Opening Friday, I am looking forward to seeing the film The Finest Hours on which my friend Donna worked as a costume designer. While in the region working on the film, she shared funny stories such as having to have half a dozen or more of each costume because so much of the film was shot in drenching conditions.

A heroic action-thriller, “The Finest Hours” is the remarkable true story of the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history. The film will transport audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully-immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale. On February 18, 1952, a massive nor’easter struck New England, pummeling towns along the Eastern seaboard and wreaking havoc on the ships caught in its deadly path, including the SS Pendleton, a T-2 oil tanker bound for Boston, which was literally ripped in half, trapping more than 30 sailors inside its rapidly-sinking stern. As the senior officer on board, first assistant engineer Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) soon realizes it is up to him to take charge of the frightened crew and inspire the men to set aside their differences and work together to ride out one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast. Meanwhile, as word of the disaster reaches the U.S. Coast Guard station in Chatham, Massachusetts, Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana) orders a daring operation to rescue the stranded men. Despite overwhelming odds, four men, led by Coast Guard Captain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine), set out in a wooden lifeboat with an ill-equipped engine and little, if any, means of navigation, facing frigid temperatures, 60-foot high waves and hurricane-force winds.

Disney’s “The Finest Hours” is the unforgettable story of the Coast Guard’s courageous mission, which is directed by Craig Gillespie and stars: Chris Pine; Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Casey Affleck; Ben Foster; Holliday Grainger; John Ortiz; and Eric Bana. Produced by Jim Whitaker and Dorothy Aufiero, the screenplay is by Oscar® nominee Scott Silver and Oscar nominees Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson based on the acclaimed non-fiction book of the same name by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. Doug Merrifield serves as executive producer. “The Finest Hours” storms into U.S. theaters on January 29, 2016 in Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D.

FINEST HOURS TRAILER: THE MOST DARING RESCUE MISSION IN COAST GUARD HISTORY

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The official trailer for The Finest Hours, a true story, and thought to be one of the most daring rescues in the history of the US Coast Guard.

One of my best friends, Donna Casey, was one of the costume designers for the film. She lives in Los Angeles but was here in Massachusetts last fall shooting for many weeks at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy and then onto Chatham in December. It was wonderful to have Donna home and she had lots of humorous stories to share about the trials of filming in waist-deep water for several months.

Set for release in January 2016, the film looks to be a real thriller!! The Finest Hours stars Chris Pine as Boatswains First Class Bernard Webber and Casey Affleck as Ray Sybert.

The Finest Hours, based on the book of the same name, is the story of the rescue mission off the Chatham coast after two oil tankers, the SS Pendleton and SS Fort Mercer were split apart during a nor’easter.

Pendleton_Sinking_ShipBow section of the SS Pendleton, February, 1952

Photo credit: United States Coast Guard, Richard C. Kelsey

Friends, Old and New!

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One of my dearest friends, Donna, spent the weekend here in Gloucester with us. I took her for a driving tour around Cape Ann and, at every bend of scenic roadway and charming street corner, she was simply knocked out at how beautiful is our island. Donna is in Massachusetts working on the Disney film, The Finest Hours, which tells the true story of the US Coast Guard’s most daring sea rescue. The film is based on the book of the same name and is set in 1952. Production is taking place all around the South Shore, including the Quincy shipyard, and Chatham, too. The book sounds fascinating and I just ordered my copy from Amazon. Here is the link: The Finest Hours. 

Donna Casey, David Robinson, Lisa Griffiths ©Kim Smith 2014

While touring around we stopped in to see Joey at the dock, and to pick up a second batch of lobsters (Donna thought they were the best she had ever had!), and then on to show her our stunning beaches. We then headed over to Rockport where we surprised an old friend, David Robinson, at his gorgeous gallery Windemere Art and Antiques, located on Rockport’s Main Street. David is the gallery’s owner, jewelry designer, and member of the Boston-based Cars rock band. The beautiful Lisa Griffiths, also known as That Nutty Redhead, was also stopping by the gallery to say hello to Dave. Dave took a break from gallery hours and took us all three out to lunch across the street, conveniently, to Bracketts, where we had an ocean view, delicious lunches, and excellent service. It was a wonderful day spent with friends, old and new, and made me realize once again how very fortunate we are to live on Cape Ann–for the natural beauty found at every turn, and most cherished of all, for our community of friends.