Into a Raging Sea: My Life and the Pendleton Rescue

by Bernie Webber, Michael Tougias (Introduction)

Most people familiar with the name Bernie Webber associate him with the miraculous rescue of 32 men off of the stern of the Pendleton, made famous in the book and movie The Finest Hours. Rescuing 32 sailors from a sinking ship caught in a ferocious winter storm is a dramatic tale, but what made this mission so special is that the boat Bernie skippered that terrible night was a mere 36 feet in length and the waves were almost twice that size! Bernie and crew received the Coast Guard’s coveted Gold Lifesaving Medal, and what they did on that stormy night is regarded as the greatest small boat rescue in history.

In Into A Raging Sea, Bernie tells that story, but the book is so much more than that. In these pages you’ll read about rescue attempts that did not turn out well, stories of fishermen from a time long past, rescues done with the by-gone technique of the “breeches buoy,” humorous anecdotes, and what Cape Cod and its people meant to Bernie.

Into a Raging Sea is a story of sacrifice, bravery, disappointment, and challenges. And in the background of Bernie’s journey is one constant, the sea. 
--from the forward by Michael J. Tougias

Genres: Nonfiction, History

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2016

Reviews

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have seen the movie "The Finest Hours", you will definitely want to read this book. The movie was Awesome! Bernie Webber was the Coast Guard Boatswain's Mate First Class who led the unbelievable rescue of 32 men from the stern portion of the Tanker SS Pendleton which had split in two off of Cape Cod. It was a miraculous rescue using a thirty-six foot boat, in nighttime blizzard conditions, with seas surpassing sixty feet.

Bernie and his crew of 3 subsequently received the Coast Guard's Highest Live Saving Gold Medal. This book outlines Bernie's life before and after his 21 year career in the Coast Guard.

[Jonathan Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The miraculous story of one man’s life work. Not as robust as some autobiographies, but inspiring nonetheless.

[Trez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story! I loved the movie and very much enjoyed reading the story about this historical rescue from the hero himself! Great read!

[Michal Paszkiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more approachable than Webber's Lightships, Light Houses and Lifeboat stations, but not quite as dramatic and action packed as The Finest Hours. Nonetheless a great read, full of inspiration

[Nancy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch the movie, then read the book, then read THIS book by Webber. Wow, what an amazing young man. I really appreciated the story even more after reading his first-hand account. Highly recommend.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read the story by the man who lived it and I’m glad I did. It’s just not very polished or… well it’s kind of choppy. But he wasn’t a writer and back then they didn’t really have such thing as co-writers I guess.