At 05.00h we had a short sharp rain squall; the first rain since leaving Rio. Rushed up on deck from my "watch below" and stood naked on the deck with a bar of coconut soap, doing my ablutions. What a joy ! Washed, also: 2 shirts, 1 pair of shorts, 1 towel.
I had intended to give Juan, at the wheel, a chance to have a bath but the squall was of short duration and he had to be content with a drenching, fully clothed! Unhappily no further squalls.
Wind died away during the day and we lay becalmed through a stifling afternoon.
At about 17.00h Juan saw a shoal of fish and very soon a large turtle about a metre broad appeared, swimming round the boat. He must have been fairly old. was of a reddish colour, with barnacles on his back. With a view to having some turtle soup this evening the skipper made an attempt to harpoon him, but he got away.
Juan spent most of the day making the P.D.C.D. (Pluvial-Deposit-Captation-Device) consisting of a canvas gutter sewn onto the foot of the mainsail, for catching rainwater, which can be syphoned (sic) off into our already somewhat depleted 135 gallon fresh water tank.
Still becalmed at midnight, we lowered sails in order to rest better. Very hot night. Slept on deck.
The Cunarder "Caronia" was due to sail from Rio to Tristan da Cunha at 17.00h today, doing about 22 knots. As she may overtake us, I practiced lamp flashing with Juan.
Trolling for Fish. No Catch.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Chapter Two - B - Thursday 2nd February - Logged 90 miles
A most perfect day at sea. Moderate NEly winds to push us along our SEly course at 5/6 knots, a slight china-blue sea and a few white woolly clouds draped along the horizon.
Everyone sunning themselves, as we may not have many more days like this. The skipper climbed the rigging at lunch time and filmed the gastronomical activities and other aspects of shipboard life, for his French television principals.
Oliver has his first shower in the net.
The skipper's "C'est bon" in his quarterdeck voice, when some good food is produced or when something exceptionally pleasant occurs, is becoming infectious. We all say it imitating him. Not too good for shipboard discipline!
Further efforts to locate the "short" unsuccessful.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Everyone sunning themselves, as we may not have many more days like this. The skipper climbed the rigging at lunch time and filmed the gastronomical activities and other aspects of shipboard life, for his French television principals.
Oliver has his first shower in the net.
The skipper's "C'est bon" in his quarterdeck voice, when some good food is produced or when something exceptionally pleasant occurs, is becoming infectious. We all say it imitating him. Not too good for shipboard discipline!
Further efforts to locate the "short" unsuccessful.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Chapter Two - a - Wednesday, 1st February 1956
Bottle No.1 Launched in: Lat. 27º 56'S
Long. 36º 26'W
by Juan, with a hefty heave to windward. He said that the red plastic stopper was too attractive and that the bottle would be swallowed by a big fish, without doubt.
Mostly out of shame for my having so far avoided all kitchen duties I decided to make a macaroni dish for supper, with tomato extract sauce and grated cheese. So much assistance was forthcoming, however, that the danger arose of "too many cooks spoiling the broth", as skipper and Juan both had very pronounced ideas about the sause. Oliver, who is feeling more chirpy, put in his oar as well. In spite of this the meal was a great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Hoisted mizzen stay sail. Worked out my first sight.
The skipper and I approximately the same age, recalling songs of our youth, particularly those popular favourites of Leyton and Johnson, gave an impromptu sing-song, including the following numbers: -
"Can't help loving that man"
"Remember"
"Waiting for the moon to shine"
"No foolin'"
"My gal's Mother"
"Hard Hearted Hannah"
"Mademoiselle"
"there's danger in your eyes, cherie"
"Alabamy Bound"
"S'Wonderful"
Tolling for fish. No catch.
Long. 36º 26'W
by Juan, with a hefty heave to windward. He said that the red plastic stopper was too attractive and that the bottle would be swallowed by a big fish, without doubt.
Mostly out of shame for my having so far avoided all kitchen duties I decided to make a macaroni dish for supper, with tomato extract sauce and grated cheese. So much assistance was forthcoming, however, that the danger arose of "too many cooks spoiling the broth", as skipper and Juan both had very pronounced ideas about the sause. Oliver, who is feeling more chirpy, put in his oar as well. In spite of this the meal was a great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Hoisted mizzen stay sail. Worked out my first sight.
The skipper and I approximately the same age, recalling songs of our youth, particularly those popular favourites of Leyton and Johnson, gave an impromptu sing-song, including the following numbers: -
"Can't help loving that man"
"Remember"
"Waiting for the moon to shine"
"No foolin'"
"My gal's Mother"
"Hard Hearted Hannah"
"Mademoiselle"
"there's danger in your eyes, cherie"
"Alabamy Bound"
"S'Wonderful"
Tolling for fish. No catch.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Chapter One - h) - Sunday 31th January, 1956
Logged 134 Miles
Ran the auxiliary petrol generator for battery charging, for two hours, as we cannot get radio time singnals on the W/T, as it is at present, and the chronometer error is too erratic to give us an accurate longitude.
Very pleasant sailing.
Juan made a Spanish broth of garlic, stale bread and eggs. Very tasty.
Set the Genoa jib
More whale spoor observed.
Skipper showed us how to have a "shower" lying in the net under the bowsprit. I tried it out. very agreeable. Skipper also demonstrated the methods of obeying pysiological necessities of the side instead of using the W.C. Very practical and hygienic.
Further efforts to locate the short circuit in the engine room unsuccessful.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Ran the auxiliary petrol generator for battery charging, for two hours, as we cannot get radio time singnals on the W/T, as it is at present, and the chronometer error is too erratic to give us an accurate longitude.
Very pleasant sailing.
Juan made a Spanish broth of garlic, stale bread and eggs. Very tasty.
Set the Genoa jib
More whale spoor observed.
Skipper showed us how to have a "shower" lying in the net under the bowsprit. I tried it out. very agreeable. Skipper also demonstrated the methods of obeying pysiological necessities of the side instead of using the W.C. Very practical and hygienic.
Further efforts to locate the short circuit in the engine room unsuccessful.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Chapter One - g) - Monday 30th January, 1956
Monday 30th January, 1956
Logged 112 miles
Sea down slightly but "Penelope" continues rolling like a beer barrel. Poor Oliver is still under the weather. He said "I guess I'll never learn. I had an idea that a sailboat, without engine smells, would be less hard on the stomach". Holding his tummy hard seems the only slight relief. "Oh, this ketch"! said he, mournfully. In a day or two he will find his sea legs, I hope.
Ran into a school of tunny fish on the morning watch and skipper and Juan tried to harpoon some, without success.
The brownish water observed yesterday after the tanker had steamed North was again seen today. This time there was no ship. Looks like whale spoor.
Oliver slightly better towards evening.
During the afternoon watch the diesel starter motor commenced working on it's own and it was necessary to disconnect, immediately, the leads from the accumulators. Our efforts to locate the short-circuit, probably caused through water in the engine room, proved fruitless. This is serious, inasmuch as we cannot charge the batteries from the main engine, from now on unless we can locate the short.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Logged 112 miles
Sea down slightly but "Penelope" continues rolling like a beer barrel. Poor Oliver is still under the weather. He said "I guess I'll never learn. I had an idea that a sailboat, without engine smells, would be less hard on the stomach". Holding his tummy hard seems the only slight relief. "Oh, this ketch"! said he, mournfully. In a day or two he will find his sea legs, I hope.
Ran into a school of tunny fish on the morning watch and skipper and Juan tried to harpoon some, without success.
The brownish water observed yesterday after the tanker had steamed North was again seen today. This time there was no ship. Looks like whale spoor.
Oliver slightly better towards evening.
During the afternoon watch the diesel starter motor commenced working on it's own and it was necessary to disconnect, immediately, the leads from the accumulators. Our efforts to locate the short-circuit, probably caused through water in the engine room, proved fruitless. This is serious, inasmuch as we cannot charge the batteries from the main engine, from now on unless we can locate the short.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Chapter One - f) - Sunday 29th January, 1956
Sunday 29th January, 1956
Logged, to noon 98 miles.
Woken by a banging of ropes, blocks and booms. Rushed up on deck, where the skipper, at the wheel, informed me sheepishly, "I jibed"! He had left the wheel to put the bung in the diesel exhaust pipe in Penelope's stern post.
Skipper, Juan and I all soaked on night watches. Taking over considerable spray but hoisted jib for the sake of stability and extra speed, at daybreak.
Skipper cursed Juan who very nearly fell overboard carelessly just before dawn. Had he gone over he would probably not have been seen in the bad light and could not have swam far in his oilskins. He says that in the Spanish Navy they throw you (for training purposes) into a rough area, fully clothed plus oilskins and make you swim. Tough eggs!!
Passed a North-bound ship about 6 miles to windward, in the afternoon watch. Looked like a tanker which left a trail of brownish water - possibly bilge pumping's - which we sailed through, an hour or so after she had passed out of sight.
Skipper and I both seasick. Oliver still bad.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Logged, to noon 98 miles.
Woken by a banging of ropes, blocks and booms. Rushed up on deck, where the skipper, at the wheel, informed me sheepishly, "I jibed"! He had left the wheel to put the bung in the diesel exhaust pipe in Penelope's stern post.
Skipper, Juan and I all soaked on night watches. Taking over considerable spray but hoisted jib for the sake of stability and extra speed, at daybreak.
Skipper cursed Juan who very nearly fell overboard carelessly just before dawn. Had he gone over he would probably not have been seen in the bad light and could not have swam far in his oilskins. He says that in the Spanish Navy they throw you (for training purposes) into a rough area, fully clothed plus oilskins and make you swim. Tough eggs!!
Passed a North-bound ship about 6 miles to windward, in the afternoon watch. Looked like a tanker which left a trail of brownish water - possibly bilge pumping's - which we sailed through, an hour or so after she had passed out of sight.
Skipper and I both seasick. Oliver still bad.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Chapter One - e)
Saturday 28th January 1956
Awoke early and, after completion of essential stowage duties, hoisted sail and weighed anchor around 11.000h proceeding under power towards the harbour entrance.
Cleared forts at noon and at 13.30h, off Itaiṕ́ú Beach, streamed log, stopped the engine and set a South-Easterly course according to plan. Now in a short choppy sea "Penelope" jumps around a bit. Logging 5 knots we have the familiar Rio skyline slowly behind us,
and roll valiantly into the broad South Atlantic.
Oliver and Juan seasick (after Juan had produced a tasty omelette for supper with plenty of Spanish olive oil).
We are on Greenwich Time, which we consider as Ship's Time for the sake of convenience. It seems odd to have daylight until 21.00h whilst dawn breaks at 07.00h.
Called out at 21.00h to shorten sail for the night. Running on reefed mainsail (2points) and jip only. "Penelope" labouring and shipping considerable spray. With about force 6, Beaufort Scale.
The skipper's last words on handing over the watch to me were - "Be sure not to jibe her".
This is what is called "teapot weather" in Penelopean parlance when the beautiful stainless steel teapot jumps from the "Primus" stove, slides along the pantry shelf, over three fiddles, and lands up on the deck - as it did, right in the middle of the oranges whose drawer had worked loose - in the corner of the foot of the chart table!
Trolling for fish. No Catch.
Awoke early and, after completion of essential stowage duties, hoisted sail and weighed anchor around 11.000h proceeding under power towards the harbour entrance.
Cleared forts at noon and at 13.30h, off Itaiṕ́ú Beach, streamed log, stopped the engine and set a South-Easterly course according to plan. Now in a short choppy sea "Penelope" jumps around a bit. Logging 5 knots we have the familiar Rio skyline slowly behind us,
and roll valiantly into the broad South Atlantic.
Oliver and Juan seasick (after Juan had produced a tasty omelette for supper with plenty of Spanish olive oil).
We are on Greenwich Time, which we consider as Ship's Time for the sake of convenience. It seems odd to have daylight until 21.00h whilst dawn breaks at 07.00h.
Called out at 21.00h to shorten sail for the night. Running on reefed mainsail (2points) and jip only. "Penelope" labouring and shipping considerable spray. With about force 6, Beaufort Scale.
The skipper's last words on handing over the watch to me were - "Be sure not to jibe her".
This is what is called "teapot weather" in Penelopean parlance when the beautiful stainless steel teapot jumps from the "Primus" stove, slides along the pantry shelf, over three fiddles, and lands up on the deck - as it did, right in the middle of the oranges whose drawer had worked loose - in the corner of the foot of the chart table!
Trolling for fish. No Catch.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Chapter One - d)
Friday 27th January, 1956
Did some shopping for the skipper, in town, during the morning and was presented with a 1956 "Browns" Nautical Almanac by my friends Herries & Rodriques with the request that I bring them souvenirs from South Africa.
Bought six tonic waters at the club, to use the bottles for message to be sent off "en route" for Cape Town.
"Penelope" shifted to oil berth outside dock wall at I.C.R.J. to take on diesel oil, paraffin and petrol, at 15.00h. A squall came down suddenly so we moved off to buoys directly after re-fueling. During re-fueling Juan jumped down between the boat and the quay wall to remove some bits of timber which might have damaged "Penelope's" Hull. A most dangerous thing to do, for he might have been badly crushed himself. The skipper went quite white with anxiety.
Sank Mr. Freyhoffer's tiny dinghy in an attempt to bring Juan off to the ship as too much weight in the choppy sea.
After a few whiskies with the Club Big-wigs, aboard, we cast off buoys and proceeded under power to Jurujupa Bay where we anchored off the Rio Yacht Club for the night. Harry Blakeney and family came off in a "caique" and took us all ashore for supper at his charming house on the hill. Returned on board at 23.00h.
Did some shopping for the skipper, in town, during the morning and was presented with a 1956 "Browns" Nautical Almanac by my friends Herries & Rodriques with the request that I bring them souvenirs from South Africa.
Bought six tonic waters at the club, to use the bottles for message to be sent off "en route" for Cape Town.
"Penelope" shifted to oil berth outside dock wall at I.C.R.J. to take on diesel oil, paraffin and petrol, at 15.00h. A squall came down suddenly so we moved off to buoys directly after re-fueling. During re-fueling Juan jumped down between the boat and the quay wall to remove some bits of timber which might have damaged "Penelope's" Hull. A most dangerous thing to do, for he might have been badly crushed himself. The skipper went quite white with anxiety.
Sank Mr. Freyhoffer's tiny dinghy in an attempt to bring Juan off to the ship as too much weight in the choppy sea.
After a few whiskies with the Club Big-wigs, aboard, we cast off buoys and proceeded under power to Jurujupa Bay where we anchored off the Rio Yacht Club for the night. Harry Blakeney and family came off in a "caique" and took us all ashore for supper at his charming house on the hill. Returned on board at 23.00h.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Chapter One - c)
Thursday 26th January 1956
Joined "Penelope" at 09.00h with Oliver. Spent the morning in town with Juan in a vain endeavour to get some order into his papers. Lunched in Rua Senador Vergueiro and returned aboard.
As we are not sailing, now, until tomorrow p.m., decided to sleep ashore. "Penelope" is lying inside the basin at Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro, almost ready for sea.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Chapter One - b)
The following details of the ketch "Penelope" may be of interest:
Built: - 1934 by W.H. Hands Jr. at Minniford Yacht Yard Inc., City Island, New York
tonnage -Register 8 tons. Displacement 15 tons.
Port of Registry - Shoreham, England
Length Breadth - Overall -40.2 Feet
- Waterline - 36.8 Feet
Breadth - - 11.7 Feet
Draft - - 6.6 Feet
Call Sign - MVZQ
Auxiliary Engine - General Motors, 2-cylinder diesel 55 B.H.P.
Built: - 1934 by W.H. Hands Jr. at Minniford Yacht Yard Inc., City Island, New York
tonnage -Register 8 tons. Displacement 15 tons.
Port of Registry - Shoreham, England
Length Breadth - Overall -40.2 Feet
- Waterline - 36.8 Feet
Breadth - - 11.7 Feet
Draft - - 6.6 Feet
Call Sign - MVZQ
Auxiliary Engine - General Motors, 2-cylinder diesel 55 B.H.P.
Chapter One - a)
The inclusion of Brazil was due to that Country's recent progress and prominence in the world of modern painting and architecture, examples of which McEwen wished to observe "in loco".
In January 1956, whilst in Rio de Janeiro, a crisis arose owing to the desertion, on the eve of "Penelope's" departure for South Africa, of his original crew of three, seduced by the multiple attractions offered by Brazil, and the proximity of Carnival Time in Rio.
Anxious to reach the Cape before the March equinox, and to meet the deadline of 1st of April in Salisbury, McEwen appealed, through the Brazilian press, for volunteers to help him sail his ketch across the South Atlantic. Thirty enthusiastic volunteers came forward.
I was chosen, as Mate, owing to some previous experience as an officer in the Merchant Service. My son, Oliver, 22 years of age and a Spanish ex-Naval rating, Juan Cortizo Abeledo, 28, made up the rest of the new crew.
This article is, in effect a copy of a log-book kept by me during the 4,000 mile voyage from Rio to Cape Town.
In January 1956, whilst in Rio de Janeiro, a crisis arose owing to the desertion, on the eve of "Penelope's" departure for South Africa, of his original crew of three, seduced by the multiple attractions offered by Brazil, and the proximity of Carnival Time in Rio.
Anxious to reach the Cape before the March equinox, and to meet the deadline of 1st of April in Salisbury, McEwen appealed, through the Brazilian press, for volunteers to help him sail his ketch across the South Atlantic. Thirty enthusiastic volunteers came forward.
I was chosen, as Mate, owing to some previous experience as an officer in the Merchant Service. My son, Oliver, 22 years of age and a Spanish ex-Naval rating, Juan Cortizo Abeledo, 28, made up the rest of the new crew.
This article is, in effect a copy of a log-book kept by me during the 4,000 mile voyage from Rio to Cape Town.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Chapter One
Captain Frank McEwen, Director-elect of the Rhodes Centenary Museum at Salisbury, Rhodesia, is in addition to being an expert on Modern Art, an amateur Ocean Yachtsman of vast experience and no mean skill, and a true lover of the sea.
He is, furthermore, the owner of the 15-ton ketch "Penelope" and, upon his appointment to Salisbury, decided to sail in his own boat from Paris to South Africa, en route for the Rhodesian Capital.
This 13,000 mile voyage took two years to prepare and finally, on 16th June 1955, "Penelope" cast off her moorings in the Seine and dropped down the river, with ultimate destination Cape Town.
He is, furthermore, the owner of the 15-ton ketch "Penelope" and, upon his appointment to Salisbury, decided to sail in his own boat from Paris to South Africa, en route for the Rhodesian Capital.
This 13,000 mile voyage took two years to prepare and finally, on 16th June 1955, "Penelope" cast off her moorings in the Seine and dropped down the river, with ultimate destination Cape Town.
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