Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat CG 36500
Also known as: Mlb Cg 36500
Why it's listed
Built in 1946 at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland, CG 36500 is a 36-foot motor lifeboat of the TRS model, the standard rescue boat at most Coast Guard lifeboat stations for many years. It is double-ended, self-righting and self-bailing, with a 2,000-pound bronze ballast keel and a hull of white oak frames and cypress planking sheathed in Monel. It served at Chatham, Massachusetts, until 1968 and was later restored by the Orleans Historical Society, which displays it as a floating museum at Rock Harbor. Roughly 80 to 90 percent of its original fabric is estimated to survive. The boat is best known for the February 1952 rescue of 32 men from the broken tanker Pendleton during a northeaster, carried out across the Chatham bar with a crew of four, all of whom received the Gold Lifesaving Medal. It also illustrates the development of motor lifeboat design from the 18th century onward.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the boat is significant under Criterion A for its link to Chatham Coast Guard Station, lifesaving history and Cape Cod maritime history, especially the 1952 Pendleton rescue. Under Criterion C it represents the design and evolution of the 36-foot TRS motor lifeboat. An estimated 80-90% of its original fabric survives.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05000467, listed May 27, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | berthed at Rock Harbor, Orleans |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | May 27, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000467 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1946-1955 |
| Architect / builder | Curtis Bay Maryland Coast Guard Yard |
| Architectural style | Other-36 foot motor lifeboat |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Engineering, Maritime History, Transportation |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned and maintained by the Orleans Historical Society as a floating museum. It is displayed at Rock Harbor from May to October and travels under its own power to maritime events. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.79966, -70.00837 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05000467.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5138151
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.