Coast Guardsman Jesse Kennedy Rivenback

Jesse Kennedy Rivenback

Coast Guardsman Jesse Rivenback (Boatswain (T)) and seven other guardsmen drowned when their boat, CG-238, sank.

Guardsman Rivenback had served with the Coast Guard for 20 years. During the time of his service he changed the spelling of his name from Rivenbark to Rivenback. He was survived by his wife and brother.

CG-238 floundered and sank while on prohibition enforcement patrol off the coast of Cape Code (Highland) Light, Massachusetts, on February 20, 1927.

The boat, which was four miles east of the lighthouse, encountered a severe gale and snow squalls. She attempted to anchor but the surf was too rough and the anchors would not hold. She was able to radio a distress call to the Coast Guard but, due to the severe weather, rescue attempts failed before she sank.

Her entire crew of eight Coast Guard crewmen was lost.