The Drama of a Seafaring Heritage

Though not all of New England’s maritime history is pleasant, it is certainly compelling. All summer long, the Egan Maritime Institute will honor Massachusetts’ oceanic past by showing weekly Monday Maritime Movies. Next up is Perfect Storm, the film based on Sebastian Junger’s 1997 non-fiction book of the true, terrifying tale of a crew of Gloucester sailors lost at sea. To see Perfect Storm for free, head to the Coffin School at 4 Winter Street on July 18 at 7 p.m. Bring a few dollars to buy some popcorn!

A few days later, on July 21 at 7 p.m., the Egan Maritime Institute welcomes Michael Tougias, author of 19 books including the national bestseller, Ten Hours Until Dawn, to share the many real-life images and tapes of a fateful night at sea during the Blizzard of ‘78. During the height of the blizzard the pilot boat Can Do, with five men onboard, set out from Gloucester to assist a lost Coast Guard boat and an oil tanker that was in a Mayday situation.  Tougias tells the story of that awful night when the seas were producing monstrous waves of 40 feet and the wind was screaming at 100 miles per hour.

Using slides of the boats, the men involved, and photos of the storm, Tougias will take the viewer through this incredible night where many lives hung in the balance.  With the aid of maps Tougias lets the audience see the progression and location of these boats off the Massachusetts coast, and explains what happened and why. 

The American Library Association named Ten Hours Until Dawn a “Top Book of 2005” and included praise for it in Booklist, the organization’s official magazine, calling it “The best story of peril at sea since Perfect Storm.” After Tougias’s presentation, you can look forward to a reception and a book signing. Admission is free for members of the Egan Maritime Institute and $5 for non-members. Seating is limited to the first 50 attendees, so reserve your spot now by calling 508-228-2505, ext. 10. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at the Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum, located at 158 Polpis Road.