By Resolution and Perseverance

The Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the oldest lifesavig organization in the United States, preceding even the parent agencies of the United States Coast Guard. Formed in 1785, inspired by the notion that the "apparently drowned" could be revived, the Humane Society took lifesaving of mariners in distress at sea to the next level with the construction of the first American shore-based lifeboat in 1807. Volunteers living under the motto "I'd like to think that if I was out there, someone would come for me" bent over the oars for the next century and rowed into the teeth of the biggest storms the Massachusetts coast has ever seen, as sailing ships headed for shore. Join veteran lifesaving history author John Galluzzo for the history of the 18th century founders, the 19th century heroes and the 20th and 21st century champions of the Humane Society cause of preserving life along the Massachusetts coast.