Members of the Coast Guard look over the wooden sailboat, Truant, as it was laid up against the rocks just north of Hazard Avenue, Narragansett. The boat eventually broke up by early last night.

The Providence Journal / Frieda Squires

NARRAGANSETT — The last entry in the log of the schooner Truant said “11:00 Hazard Ave.”

Peter Maack, 54, of Narragansett, had bought the Truant for a dollar and was sailing it yesterday out of Wickford Shipyard. He was headed to Point Judith Pond, where he intended to restore it.

Between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. yesterday, he passed the home of former Attorney General Jim O’Neil and his wife Anne on Cliff Drive, where Maack is staying while he relocates from California, said Anne O’Neil, who said she took a photo as he passed.

While he was under sail, the rudder of the 1940s-era Newfoundland schooner broke. The 48-foot gaff-rigged wooden sailboat was pushed into the rocks behind the Ocean View, a residence at 290 Ocean Rd.

Narragansett police got the first call at 11:24 a.m. from the homeowner at 276 Ocean Rd., said Lt. Michael Gama. The police dispatched the Fire Department at 11:39, said Fire Capt. David Arnold, which launched a 14-foot Zodiac inflatable from Monahan’s Dock.

Maack, who had climbed from the Truant into the sailing dory he’d been towing, was picked up by the fire boat.

Coast Guard Station Point Judith was notified at 11:30 a.m. by Narragansett police, who reported a sailing vessel was having trouble near Hazard Rock. “They were getting phone calls from houses along there,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Velino. “We sent our 27-foot utility boat, with a crew of four. We discussed putting a pump on the boat, but it was too dangerous.”

Three Coast Guard investigators tried to board the Truant from the rocks, but they backed off when a wave broke over the other side.

“I want to get to the fuel on board –– there’s a small amount –– but I don’t want to put anyone at risk,” said Andrew Schmitt, a marine science technician 1st class.

With a storm coming and the tide rising, Maack arrived and started removing what he could from the boat.

He called Bob Cherenzia, 51, a diver and salvage operator out of Point Judith. Cherenzia brought a wet suit for Maack, and the two boarded. With the deck angle rising to 45 degrees, they went below deck and pumped out the 20 gallons of fuel that Maack said was on board.

Wood began to crack at about 5:30 p.m. as gear washed off the deck, and the vessel was no longer recognizable as a boat by 7:45 p.m.

dnaylor@projo.com