Did you know — The propeller from the Coast Guard Motor Life Boat CG 36500, the vessel that rescued 32 seamen off of the sinking 503 foot tanker Pendleton off of the coast of Chatham, can be seen at the parking lot overlooking the beach at Chatham Lighthouse Beach. LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.
This rescue took place during a fierce Nor’Easter storm in February 1952. The movie “The Finest Hours” was based on this rescue, which was the most dangerous and daring rescue attempt in Coast Guard history.
The beach is located at 30 Main St, Chatham, across from the Coast Guard Station and Chatham Lighthouse. The remains of the Pendleton lie in around 40 feet of water off Pollock Rip Shoal about three miles east of the southerly end of Monomoy Island.
There are many other historical hidden gems around Cape Cod! See our Hidden Gems page and start exploring little known and forgotten places from Provincetown to Nantucket!
