THE LOST BOYS OF MONTAUK

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.