The Lost Boys of Montauk

March 15, 2021
A memorable lost-at-sea narrative focusing on a Montauk-based commercial fishing boat. On March 22, 1984, the Wind Blown left Montauk Harbor in search of tilefish more than 100 miles offshore. The crew consisted of Cpt. Michael Stedman, mate David Connick, and deckhands Michael Vigilant and Scott Clarke. According to reports, the first few days of their trip were not fruitful; however, conditions soon became "boiling hot," with "tilefish coming up on every hook." One week in, however, the crew confronted a "dreaded nor'easter," not uncommon in the "unpredictable" March and April weather. The ship and its crew never returned. In this well-documented, page-turning debut book, Sag Harbor-based journalist Fairbanks, who has worked at HuffPost and the New York Times, explores the circumstances leading to the ship's disappearance as well as how memories of the crew members have affected their loved ones. The author is particularly good in her examination of the complicated social dynamics involved in the lives of career fishermen. Regarding her reasons for writing the book, Fairbanks notes, "I wanted to understand how tragedies become imprinted in our memories, how trauma and grief wend their way through generations and become a kind of inheritance bequeathed to our descendants." She accomplishes that mission and more, offering a well-fleshed-out portrait of the Montauk community and its residents and the evolution of the area as both the largest commercial fishing harbor in New York state and a summer haven for the wealthy. Along the way, Fairbanks also discovers a few closely held secrets that have had a tremendous impact on the lives of those involved. The author's genuine desire to provide an accurate account of the history of the Wind Blown and the lives of its crew members is evident in her extensive research and attention to detail, making this a no-brainer for fans of The Perfect Storm and similar books. A riveting man-vs.-nature story and compelling tribute to those who perished.

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April 15, 2021
In March 1984, the Wind Blown sailed out of Montauk on the north tip of Long Island, sweeping the sea for a hoard of golden tilefish that could earn its captain and crew up to $30,000 for a single boatload. Other local fishermen questioned the seaworthiness of the somewhat ramshackle vessel. The captain-owner assembled a disparate crew of two local young fishermen and a son of wealth and privilege out for adventure. The boat made its haul, but on the way back to port it encountered a fierce nor'easter generating hurricane-force winds. The Wind Blown sank without a trace. Former New York Times reporter Fairbanks has dug into this tragic episode, reconstructing these lives that ended unexpectedly soon, interviewing relatives, friends, and other fishermen. She also relates her own life journey from Manhattan to the Hamptons, then California, and back again to Long Island. Readers fascinated by stories of shipwreck such as Sebastian Junger's The Perfect Storm may be similarly intrigued by this sad tale.

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Starred review from May 1, 2021

On March 22, 1984, a commercial fishing boat named Wind Blown departed from Montauk, NY, its four white crew members hoping to return in a few days with a large haul of tilefish. Five days into the journey a nor'easter battered the area; Wind Blown and her crew did not return. In this fast-paced debut, Fairbanks (reporter, East Hampton Star) delves into "the improbable way in which these four men's lives collided aboard the Wind Blown" and the lingering effects of the tragedy on the lives of their family, friends, and community. Fairbanks skillfully explains the socioeconomic context of Montauk and the commercial fishing industry, and explains how social class led the Wind Blown crew to become fishermen. She also describes the men's complicated family ties; each of the men had a particularly troubled relationship with his father. Through interviews with family and friends of the crew, Fairbanks shows how the tragedy changed their lives and remains with them today. VERDICT Fairbanks deftly handles the story, with an eye for detail and page-turning prose. An evocative, well-researched, and compelling account, this highly recommended book will stay with readers past the last page.--Anitra Gates, Erie Cty. P.L., PA

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