A Daring Sea Rescue & A Passion To Save Lives portrayed in 'The Finest Hours'

By Kelcy Dolan
Posted 3/4/16

Andy Fitzgerald joined the U.S. Coast Guard because unlike other military divisions, which he believes are “trained to kill,” the Coast Guard is “trained to save people.” That decision would …

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A Daring Sea Rescue & A Passion To Save Lives portrayed in 'The Finest Hours'

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Andy Fitzgerald joined the U.S. Coast Guard because unlike other military divisions, which he believes are “trained to kill,” the Coast Guard is “trained to save people.” That decision would lead Fitzgerald, now 84, to become a permanent part in the Coast Guard’s history for one of the most daring sea rescues.

On February 18, 1952, during a nor’easter, the SS Pendleton, a World War II era tanker, en route to Boston from New Orleans, split completely in two off the coast of Chatham, Massachusetts.

Despite 60-foot seas and 80-mile-per-hour winds, four Coast Guard crewmembers braved the storm in a CG-36500, a 36-foot lifeboat. Fitzgerald who served as an engineman, Coxswain Bernard Webber and Seamen Richard Livesy and Ervin Maske set out for the Pendleton in what many believed would end up being a suicide mission. The lifeboat would lose both its windshield and compass on the journey out, the crew relying on memory and instinct to find their way to the Pendleton.

The outward trip, documented in 2009 by Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman said:

“It was a dance of giants as the sixty to seventy-foot waves rose and fell. The men’s senses were heightened, and they were assaulted by roaring wind when their boat rode up to the top of waves, then enveloped in an eerie quiet as they plunged down in the valleys. All were soaked from the bone-chilling ocean, but so much adrenaline was coursing through them they hardly noticed. Each time the boat plunged into a trough, icy spray and foam slapped them in the face, and Webber fought the wheel, keeping the boat from broaching…While Webber clung to the wheel Livesy, Fitz and Maske kept a viselike grip on the rails, knowing if they were hurled out of the boat they would likely never be found. The three crewmen knew they were heading farther out to sea, and said a silent prayer that Bernie would keep making the right moves.”

Eventually, the Coast Guard arrived at the broken tanker, having crewmembers climb down a rope ladder to the lifeboat. The lifeboat was designed to carry 12 men at most and yet, the four Coast Guard members were somehow able to rescue 32 of 41 crewmembers and deliver them safely to shore. All four Coast Guard members would receive the Gold Lifesaving Medal for their accomplishments in that storm.

In 2009 Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman would publish The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue, which documented the events from 1952.

Now, 64 years after the rescue itself, Disney released “The Finest Hours,” a film following the events based on Tougias and Sherman’s book.

The Finest Hours, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Kyle Gallner and John Magaro, was officially released on Jan. 29.

Although Fitzgerald, who spent nearly 20 years living in Warwick, is now a celebrity and his actions on that night are available to any and everyone, he is not one to bring the story up himself.

Even his wife, Gloria, didn’t know about the rescue until several years into their marriage when she came across newspaper clippings. Fitzgerald jokes that she never asked about it so he never brought it up.

Robert Coker, the Fitzgeralds’ neighbor when they lived in Warwick, only found out two years ago that his friend had been a part of the mission. Although Fitzgerald and his wife moved to Colorado, they still visit Rhode Island and make a point to visit the Cokers.

Coker was just astonished to find the man who had been his neighbor for years was a major part of history.

“He’s a wonderful guy and would do anything for anyone, but I had no idea when we were neighbors that he had been a part of such an unbelievable feat,” Coker said. “That’s typical of him, though. He was never one to brag about what he could do.”

Coker said that not only was Fitzgerald a part of the mission, but as the engine man he was crucial to its success.

On the way out to the Pendleton the engine stalled and it was up to Fitzgerald to get it up and working again to complete the rescue mission.

Tougias and Sherman wrote, in chapter 10 of their book:

“The CG36500 continued to pitch and rear violently as Fitzgerald tried to keep a firm grip on the rails; it would have been easier for him to crawl along the narrow catwalk, but there was nothing to hold on to. Fitzgerald gazed down at the frigid seas that were colliding with the side of the boat. Andy wondered how long he could last if he got thrown overboard. Not very long, so don’t get thrown over, he thought to himself as he held the rails tightly. Once he was inside the compartment, another heavy sea slammed into the lifeboat, bouncing Fitzgerald around the engine room. Andy cried out as he was thrown like a rag doll against the red-hot engine. Despite suffering burns, bruises and scrapes, Fitzgerald somehow managed to control the pain as he held down the priming lever, waiting for the gasoline to begin flowing to the engine again.”

Having been a part of many rescue missions, Fitzgerald said even saving one person feels just as good as having saved those 32 men - every mission matters. He recently received a letter from the daughter of one of the men he rescued saying she may not be alive if he hadn’t been there.

Fitzgerald actually volunteered for the Pendleton mission.

“I knew it wasn’t a big boat, but I knew it was strong,” Fitzgerald said in a phone interview. “I went out with some of the best men in the Coast Guard. We went out confident. It was just another day at work.”

He does admit that if you “really think about it,” what the men were able to accomplish is incredible, but that it was his and his crewmates’ duty. He was happy to be in a position to help so many with the Coast Guard.

Fitzgerald was portrayed by Kyle Gallner, who is best known for his role as Cassidy “Beaver” Casablancas in the television series “Veronica Mars.” He has had several other TV roles as well and acted in a few roles in horror films such as The Haunting of Connecticut, Jennifer’s Body and the remake of A Nightmare on Elm St.

Although Fitzgerald doesn’t believe Gallner looks much like him, he did say that Gallner did a very good job portraying him.

Fitzgerald, who has now seen The Finest Hours three times, told Gallner he did a good job after viewing the film in California for the Disney release in January. Coker also saw the film and was impressed. Having read the book, he said it follows it very closely.

Fitzgerald said he enjoys the movie, but initially wasn’t sure why the producers wanted to make a movie about the rescue.

“I used to think why bother making a movie, but I guess people really love the story. Everyone thinks we did something worthwhile, but that’s what we were trained to do,” Fitzgerald said. “You know I’d be lying if I didn’t say it felt good to be looked at as a hero, to know our actions are appreciated, but I don’t think it changes who I am. I’m still just Andy Fitzgerald.”

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