The Finest Hours (Chapter Book): The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue

By Michael J. Tougias, Mark Edward Geyer and Casey Sherman

Four young men in a tiny lifeboat brave a dreadful storm to save dozens of lives in this illustrated chapter book adaptation of the New York Times bestseller The Finest Hours.

On the night of February 18th, 1952, during one of the worst winter storms that New England has even seen, two oil tankers off the shore of Cape Cod are torn in half by the force of the seas. For the men on board, survival seemed impossible. What follows is a harrowing Coast Guard rescue in a tiny lifeboat, where four young heroes beat the odds and bring more than thirty stranded sailors to safety.

The True Rescue chapter book series is full of fast-paced, uplifting stories that put newly independent readers in the middle of the action. Don't miss another pulse-pounding book in the series: A Storm Too Soon (Chapter Book edition).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Jul 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781250137555

Michael J. Tougias

MICHAEL J. TOUGIAS is a New York Times bestselling author and coauthor of over thirty books for adults and middle readers. His books include Fatal Forecast, The Finest Hours, Overboard!, A Storm Too Soon, So Close to Home, The Waters Between Us, Extreme Survival, and The Power of Positive Fishing. He offers slide presentations and an inspiration program titled “Survival Lessons: Decision Making Under Pressure.” Visit www.michaeltougias.com

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True Rescue: The Finest Hours by Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman

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Table of Contents

About the Author and Illustrator

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Copyright Page

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To my favorite young readers, Alice and Connor

—M. J. T.

For Jack, Lyla, Rosemary, and Millicent: Enjoy this story of real-life heroes

—C. S.

INTRODUCTION TO SHIPS, CAPTAINS, CREW, AND RESCUERS

On February 18, 1952, an incredible maritime event began when a ferocious nor’easter split in half a 503-foot-long T2 oil tanker, the Pendleton, approximately one mile off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Here are the primary sailors and rescuers:

THE SAILORS ON THE PENDLETON STERN

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GEORGE TINY MYERS .......... COOK

CHARLES BRIDGES .......... SEAMAN

RAYMOND SYBERT .......... CHIEF ENGINEER

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THE RESCUERS ON THE 36-FOOT MOTOR LIFEBOAT CG 36500

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BERNIE WEBBER .......... CAPTAIN

RICHARD LIVESEY .......... SEAMAN

ANDY FITZGERALD .......... ENGINEER

ERVIN MASKE .......... CREW MEMBER

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CHATHAM COAST GUARD STATION

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DANIEL CLUFF .......... COMMANDER

DONALD BANGS .......... SKIPPER

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CHAPTER ONE

THE PENDLETON

February 18, 1952

Captain John Fitzgerald could barely stay on his feet aboard his rocking ship, the 503-foot-long oil tanker named Pendleton. Fitzgerald had been in bad weather before, but nothing like the winter storm that was now raging off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Fifty-foot waves battered his vessel violently in the predawn hours.

Suddenly a thunderous roar echoed through the bowels of the ship. The crew felt the gigantic tanker rise out of the turbulent ocean. This was followed by a shudder and an ear-splitting crash when the Pendleton nosed down seconds later.

Captain Fitzgerald wasn’t sure exactly what had happened, but he knew by the sound that the ship had cracked. He immediately went to the radio set to issue an SOS, but the power had gone out.

Eighteen-year-old seaman Charles Bridges was asleep in his bunk when the ship tilted and cracked. He quickly grabbed a flashlight and ran to the top deck and then out on the catwalk leading to the bow. Then I stopped in my tracks, remembered Bridges. The catwalk floor disappeared. I realized just two more steps and I’d drop straight down into the ocean.

Bridges wheeled around and scurried to the mess deck, shouting, We’re in trouble! The ship has broke in two!

Some of the men immediately wanted to lower the lifeboats. But Bridges told them that they were crazy, that the lifeboats wouldn’t stand a chance in the enormous waves.

When the