The History

CG36500 was built in 1946 at Curtis Bay, Maryland Coast Guard Yard, as all 36s were, and stationed at the Chatham, Massachusetts Coast Guard Lifeboat Station. Like most 36s, it had an active and glorious career with many rescues. It was taken out of service in 1968 after being re-engined from a Sterling gas engine to diesel. It was replaced by the new and improved 44 foot twin diesel, all steel Motor Life Boat. It, like the other 36s, had outlived its usefulness. There isn't much fanfare when this occurs, even though to many Coasties, it is a sad day. Most were destroyed, but some got saved for display at museums and historical societies.

Photo by David Liscio

The Cape Cod National Seashore at that time obtained 36500 for preservation, but due to usual reasons of funding, etc., it just sat outside for some 13 years and deteriorated in the weather. In 1981 the Orleans Historical Society of Orleans, Massachusetts took interest and proceeded with negotiations to have it transferred to them. They were successful and it became theirs in the fall of 1981. What they got was a deteriorated shabby boat, but it had not been vandalized and underneath the many coats of chipping paint and rotting canvas, was a sound boat.

• A Final Salute to "Gold Medal" Crewman from 1952 Pendleton Rescue - Read the story by Captain W. Russ Webster, USCG (Ret.)

At the 50th Anniversary of the Rescue: The crew of the 36500 -
Bernard Webber (deceased), Andrew Fitzgerald, Richard Livesey (deceased) and Irving Maske (deceased)

At the 50th Anniversary of the Rescue: Capt. William Webster (retired), Irving Maske, Congressman
William Delahunt, Richard Livesey, Bernard Webber, Andrew Fitzgerald and Adm. Vivian Crea

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• Unsinkable
  printed with permission of NORTHEAST BOATING and David Liscio
  
  
• A Tribute: Bernie Webber, CWO (Ret.)
  Webber, with his three-man crew of young Coast Guardsmen, answered the call of duty on February 18, 1952, and rescued 32 sailors...
  
  
• Meritorious Public Service Award - William P. Quinn, Sr.
  The Commandant of the Coast Guard takes great pleasure in presenting the United States Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award to Mr. William P. Quinn, Sr., in recognition of his exceptionally dedicated service to the Nation and his exemplary support of the Coast Guard as a maritime writer and historian.
  
  
• Remembering Valor at Sea
  Richard Livesey wasn’t a household name around the Lower Cape but his bravery here, back in 1952, will long be remembered.
  
  
• A Final Salute to "Gold Medal" Crewman from 1952 Pendleton Rescue
  Ervin Maske, 74, died suddenly on October 7, 2003 near his hometown of Marinette, Wisconsin.
  
  
• Motor Life Boat Evolution
  Some histories of lifeboats trace their evolution to 1784 when Englishman Lionel Lukin redesigned a 20 foot Norwegian yawl as a self-bailing, self-righting unsinkable boat. Read more...