It was with great sadness that I learned that Bernard "Bernie" C. Webber had passed away this past weekend. I was a little more than 2 months old when Boatswain Mate First Class Bernie Webber and the crew of the motor lifeboat CG36500 from Station Chatham, Massachusetts conducted what has been termed as one of the greatest small boat rescues in Coast Guard history, plucking 32 crewmembers from the stern section of the tanker PENDLETON on February 18, 1952. But his heroics have had a life-long impact on me and many other Coast Guardsmen.
Numerous books have been written recounting the historic rescue to include: Chatham "The Lifeboatmen," by Bernie Webber; "Two Tankers Down," by Robert Frump; and "The Pendleton Disaster Off Cape Cod – The Greatest Small Boat Rescue in Coast Guard History," (second edition) by Theresa M. Barbo with Captain W. Russell Webster, USCG (Ret.). All of these provide an excellent chronicling and first-hand account of the rescue. How Bernie as the coxswain piloted his little craft through seas reported in excess of 60 feet. How Engineman Second Class Andrew Fitzgerald's relentless perseverance kept the 36500's single gas engine running despite conditions which would make that seem impossible. And how Seaman Richard Livesey and Seaman Irving Maske battled the elements to bring aboard 32 survivors and cram them into every conceivable place they could find, including the engine room.
Through my Coast Guard career, the courageous rescue of the PENDLETON by the CG36500 crew, and Bernie Webber himself, intersected my life on more than one occasion. First in June 1976 when I walked onto the grounds of Station Chatham, on a piece of coast on the back side of Cape Code which has been referred to as the “graveyard of ships.” I was a newly recruited Port Securityman Third Class, unsure of what was expected, but anxious to learn. In those days the rusting stern section of the PENDLETON could still be seen as you looked southeast from the watch room: a visible reminder of what Bernie and his crew had accomplished some 24 years earlier. Inside the Station, photos of the rescue served - and still do - as a reminder of the significance of what the CG36500 crew accomplished. And although it was not his intent, Bernie had set the standard by which many a Coast Guard coxswain, particularly those at Station Chatham, would measure themselves. I have a signed copy of his book with this simple inscription: “One coxswain to another.” Along with my coxswain pin, it is one of my most cherished possessions.
I met Bernie for the first time on June 21, 1982 when the refurbished CG36500 was launched in Rock Harbor, Orleans, Massachusetts. Bernie made the trip north from Florida to participate in the ceremony. I was working for a local newspaper and was fortunate enough to get a front row seat onboard the 36500 as a photographer. Having qualified as a 44' Motor Life Boat coxswain at Chatham two years earlier made it even more special to be in the presence of this legend. I mentioned this to Bernie and he asked me how I liked the 44. I said it was a great boat and I really appreciated its "forgiveness," especially in heavy surf. He broke into a broad grin and said, "I'm glad. Based on the lessons learned from the PENDLETON, I was involved in the development of the 44. I am happy to hear it's working out alright.”
The next time I crossed paths with Bernie was not in person, but the experience was more honoring and humbling than mere words can adequately express. It was Spring 1990 and I had recently been advanced to Chief Petty Officer and just completed the Chiefs Call to Initiation process. When I arrived at Station Chatham to drill in April, the Chiefs onboard, both active and reserve, pulled me aside. Still a bit gun-shy from the Initiation experience, I really didn’t know what to expect. Unknown to me, I was about to become a part of the Station Chatham tradition and privilege known as the Passing of the Pins. It was a ceremony which started many years before during which the newest member of Station Chatham to attain the rank of Chief Petty Officer would be given the honor of wearing Bernie's anchors, the actual Chief Petty Officer rank insignia worn by Bernie himself. I was honored to wear these until the next member advanced to Chief. The ceremony was very informal: a few words by the most senior Chief, a few words of congratulations, and hand shakes all around. I will never forget this simplest, yet personally moving experience and the great honor of wearing Bernie's anchors! Did I mention the word "pressure"?
As Admiral Allen says - we will "honor the past, not dwell in it." Based on my personal observations and conversations with Bernie (as recently as three weeks ago) he would be the first to agree with that statement. He always remained a man of today, not yesterday. His actions on that historic night in February 1952 have forever linked Bernie Webber to the long line of Coast Guard Guardians - past, present and future. He leaves a personal legacy of honor, respect and devotion duty, but perhaps even more significant - a legacy of unqualified humility.
Well done, Boats.
Photos available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uscgpress/sets/72157613022941344/
