The Coast Guard’s Most Daring Rescue
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 @ 6:30 PM
Bristol Public Library (Online via Zoom)

The story behind the movie The Finest Hours presented by Michael Tougias, the author of the NYT best-selling book that is the basis of the movie.

About this event:
New York Times bestselling author Michael Tougias will gives an online Zoom presentation on his international bestseller The Finest Hours. The Disney movie based on the book stars Chris Pine and Casey Affleck.

On February 18th, 1952 an astonishing maritime event began when a ferocious nor’easter split in half a 500-foot long oil tanker, the Pendleton, approximately one mile off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Incredibly, just twenty miles away, a second oil tanker, the Fort Mercer, also split in half. On both fractured tankers men were trapped on the severed bows and sterns, and all four sections were sinking in 60-foot seas. Thus began a life and death drama of survival, heroism, and a series of tragic mistakes. Of the 84 seamen aboard the tankers, 70 would be rescued and 14 would lose their lives. The rescue that followed is considered the Coast Guard’s greatest small boat rescue. The author will also discuss the making of the movie, working with the screenwriters, and will share some humorous stories about the actors and his cameo in the movie.

Michael Tougias is the author and coauthor of 29 books including Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea, which the Los Angeles Times called “breathtaking…a marvelous and terrifying tale.” Tougias’ previous book Ten Hours Until Dawn: The True Story of Heroism and Tragedy Aboard the Can Do During the Blizzard of ‘78 received an Editor’s Choice Selection from the American Library Association which selected it as one of the top books of the year. He has also co-written a new book about the Cuban Missile Crisis titled Above & Beyond. His latest nature book is The Waters Between Us: A Boy, A Father, Outdoor Misadventures and the Healing Power of Nature. Visit www.michaeltougias.com for more information.

RSVP: Bristollib.com, at the library or by calling: 860.584.7787 x 3. Online via Zoom. Valid email required to register. No charge.
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The library will follow up the author’s presentation by screening the movie The Finest Hours at 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM on Wednesday June 23 in-person at the library. RSVP at the library or call: 860.584.7787 x 3.