Brewster Ladies' Library presents The Pendleton Rescue: The Coast Guard's Greatest Small Boat Rescue

On February 18, 1952, four courageous crew members from U.S. Coast Guard Station Chatham, launched a 36-foot wooden motor lifeboat into the teeth of a raging Nor’east storm to rescue sailors stranded on a stricken tanker, SS PENDLETON, that had broken in half and was drifting off Monomoy Island.

Battling 40-foot waves, freezing temperatures and dangerous shoals, the Coast Guardsmen were able to save 32 of the 33 crew members aboard PENDLETON and safely return them to Chatham – a feat that is still considered to be the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history.

The PENDLETON rescue mission was highlighted in the best-selling book, The Finest Hours, written by famed Cape Cod author Casey Sherman, and later was made into a Disney-produced feature-length move of the same name.

The four crew members, led by Massachusetts native Bernie Webber, each received the Gold Lifesaving Award – the Coast Guard’s highest individual honor – for their heroic efforts on that fateful Cape Cod night.

Coast Guard Auxiliary member Reid Oslin, a Cape Cod resident, has done extensive research on the PENDLETON rescue and has shared the fascinating story with numerous groups throughout the area.

About the Presenter

Reid Oslin is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and a communications watchstander at Coast Guard Station Chatham.

In nearly 12 years as a Coast Guard watchstander, Reid has participated in dozens of search-and-rescue missions and has served in numerous command and publications assignments in Auxiliary, the Coast Guard's civilian branch.

Prior to retiring her on Cape Cod, Reid worked for 42 years in media relations and public affairs at Boston College. He is the author of four published books, and recently has done extensive research on the PENDLETON rescue off of Chatham. 

And best of all, Reid was smart enough to marry a librarian!