International Journal of Naval History

Dennis L Noble, Rescued by the US Coast Guard: Great Acts of Heroism since 1878, Annapolis : Naval Institute Press, 2005, Pp.300, Notes, Bibliography, Index.

Reviewed by Lieutenant Commander Mark R Condeno

Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary CGAD-Palawan

Palawan / Manila , Philippines

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Rescued by the US Coast Guard brings to light the little known valiant rescue operations of the premier armed maritime rescue service of the United States for over the past one-hundred-plus years. Former Coast Guardsman and author of twelve books on the United States Coast Guard, Dr. Dennis L. Noble is to be commended for this finely written, and exquisitely researched, account of rescues dating back to 1878.

The book is composed of highly fascinating narratives, some of which are told by the rescuers themselves, and is covered in four parts.  It is written with the goal of shedding light on Coast Guard rescues and on those who conducted these courageous acts in the span of 125 years.

Part I “1878-1914,” covers the rescue operations of the United States Life Saving Service-the forerunner of the present day US Coast Guard. Here, readers are given a background on the service, which was an agency of the US Treasury Department. The next five chapters take the readers into a blow by blow account of some of the daring rescues of that era. From the schooner George Taulane that went through a snowstorm in 1880, the Norwegian barkentine Catharine that ran aground during a hurricane in 1894, and a storm that swept Massachusetts in 1902 leading to several shipwreck rescues. The reader is also introduced to the men and crew behind these audacious rescue operations. Notable among them are William Chadwick, William Gaskill, Joshua James, Frederick T. Hatch and Rasmus Midgett.

The second part of the book covering the years “1915-1964” takes us to the creation of the United States Coast Guard though the merging of the Life Saving Service, The Revenue Cutter Service and the Lighthouse Service. The technological developments and innovation of the 20^th century would leave their mark on the service as the introduction and operation of new boats transformed the service into a modern force. This period also delves into the establishment of the Aviation section made up of Seaplanes.  The development of the helicopter later on would lead to the emergence of a new group lobbying for the potential of the chopper in the search and rescue role. The latter would prove its versatility during the rescue mission for a downed RCAF PBY crew in Alaska and during a disaster that struck a US Navy Destroyer.

The third section is heart wrenching with the rescue of an 11-month old baby by Coast Guardmen at the Ashtabula River in Ohio and the sinking Oil Rig in the Gulf of Mexico . The concluding chapters of this segment examine Station Yaquina Bay in Oregon and the feats of two of the Coast Guards most famous servicemen, Master Chief Thomas McAdams and Chief Warrant Officer Scott Clendenin.

The final part “1996-2003” takes us to the rescue operations of the present day. Remarkable among them is the recovery of the crew of the sailboat Gale Runner during rough weather and within high rock formations by a Sikorsky HH-60 Jayhawk flown by Commander Paul A. Langlois, and the rescue of the Crabber Lee Rose battling heavy seas during a severe storm.

Dr. Noble has done an outstanding job in producing this impressive volume. The book fills a gap in the service history literature. Human drama, valor, and dedication to service abound in this book. I strongly recommend Rescued By The US Coast Guard. It would appeal to every member of Team Coast Guard and those who savor man against the sea stories. An excellent book that deserves a special place in every Coast Guardmans library.