The Pendleton disaster refers to a maritime tragedy that occurred on November 27, 1942, when the U.S. Navy cargo ship SS Pendleton sank off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The ship was caught in a severe storm, which caused it to break in half. Of the 41 crew members aboard, 33 were rescued, while 8 lost their lives. The rescue operation was notably carried out by the Chatham Coast Guard Station, which dispatched a small lifeboat to save the stranded sailors. The bravery of the Coast Guard crew and the challenging conditions of the rescue highlighted the dangers faced by mariners during World War II.