Neighbor News
The Tragedy of the Tall Ship Bounty
Hear the story of the ship's fateful last voyage and the Coast Guard's heroic efforts to evacuate survivors
Michael Tougias to present Rescue of the Bounty
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Prepare for an “edge of your seat” experience when Michael J. Tougias, co-author of Rescue of the Bounty, will gives dramatic visual presentation about the sinking of the ship at Pembroke Public Library at 7pm Weds., July 15.
The tall ship Bounty sank during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The captain and a crewmember perished in the accident but the Coast Guard performed harrowing helicopter rescues to save the other fourteen sailors. Tougias will use slides of the storm, the survivors, and the rescue to make this “an edge-of-your seat” visual program.
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The story begins on October 25, 2012 when Captain Robin Walbridge made the fateful decision to sail the Bounty from New London, Connecticut to St. Petersburg, Florida. Walbridge was well aware that a hurricane was forecast to come up the Eastern seaboard. He explained to his crew of 15 that the ship would fare better at sea than at port, and that he thought he could sail “around the hurricane.” He told the crew that anyone who did not want to come on the voyage could leave the ship and there would be no hard feelings. No one took the captain up on his offer, and this decision would have fatal consequences.
“A taut recounting of a needless maritime tragedy.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Thrilling and perfectly paced, Rescue of the Bounty is filled with good intentions but bad decisions.” -- Booklist
Tougias, known for his fast paced writing style and character-driven stories, has written several true survival thrillers, including The Finest Hours, which is currently being filmed by the Disney Corporation (starring Chris Pine of Star Trek and Casey Affleck of Oceans 13). His other sea sagas, include Overboard!, Fatal Forecast, A Storm Too Soon, and Ten Hours Until Dawn, which was selected by the American Library Association as an Editor’s Choice, “One of the best books of the Year.” On a lighter note, the author penned the award-winning memoir There’s A Porcupine In My Outhouse: Misadventures of a Mountain-man Wannabe. Visit www.michaeltougias.com for more information. Tougias is one of New England’s top speakers, giving over 70 presentations per year.
