tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41443358423123252472023-11-16T08:06:57.833-08:00Ketch Penelope1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-88046716822981985732023-02-20T10:39:00.001-08:002023-02-20T10:39:20.978-08:00<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Genealogical history of Ivy of Maidenhead<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This ancient family of Celts derive their surname from a small fishing town and harbour of <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ngkPPyqLyuVAurKJ7" target="_blank">Saint Ives in Cornwall,</a> founded in the fifth century by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ia_of_Cornwall" target="_blank">Irish woman Martyr Saint Hya or Iya</a> - who accompanied <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Piran" target="_blank">Saint Piran</a> on his missionary journey. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This village at the time of the Domesday is shewn as but a small <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Uny%27s_Church,_Lelant" target="_blank">Chapelry Of Lelant</a> an unimportant member of the distant <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludgvan" target="_blank">manor of Ludgvan</a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of the few Christian inhabitants, adjacent to the chapelry - tempus Ed. III (A.D. 1004) some adopted the style “de Ives” or “de Ivese” and as was the custom in those days of little learning, the variation, in the spelling of the name, was not a consequence and in fact, was frequently a device used for the differentiating between father & son or families of the same blood.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Consequently, the name is encountered in many forms of which the more common are IVES, IVESE, IVEYS, IVEZ, IVIE IVIES, IVEASE, IVERS.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The legend of the present family derives from the early attachment to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/rGkxNfT4AxLD7hdT6" target="_blank">Hampshire</a> where from the time of the conquest until the early XIV century their ancestors were seated.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hugh de IVEZ & the Lands of Minstead</b></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Minstead (XI cent.);<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Minstead (XV<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>cent.)</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The parish of Minstead including <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/EYTrw6deopUjA2dGA" target="_blank">Canterton</a>,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ZiuteakugGzQv6DD9" target="_blank">London Minstead</a>, and <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/NnvY9Xm53BUvtFoM7" target="_blank">Alum Green</a> (formerly extra-parochial) contains 13 acres of land covered with water and 10,321 acres of land of which 399 acres arable 1253 are permanent grass, 2832 Woodland exclusive of <a href="The New Forest" target="_blank">The New Forest</a>. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Two streams known as the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/JCBWy1ZDmZqWwd6L6" target="_blank">Fleet Water</a> and <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ZGGvHGDFDJNzuNQR6" target="_blank">Bartley Water</a>, flow through the parish in the South Easterly direction in Canterton Glen upwards of a mile from Minstead is <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/rqL6JNTq2pUb98bT9" target="_blank">Rufus Stone</a>, marking <a href="https://www.new-forest-national-park.com/the-rufus-stone/" target="_blank">the site of the oak tree from which the arrow fatal to William Rufus is said to have a glanced</a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Near this Glenn is <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/MuNznuVZ1ikGPKt5A" target="_blank">Stony Cross</a> one of the highest parts of The New Forest from which may be seen <a href="Romsey Abbey" target="_blank">Romsey Abbey</a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before the conquest, Minstead assessed at 3 1/2 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hide_(unit)#:~:text=It%20was%20traditionally%20taken%20to,eventually)%20the%20geld%20land%20tax." target="_blank">hide</a> was held by a certain Goderic Malf whose son in 1066 were holding half a hide; the remaining three hides had been taken into The New Forest a house at Winchester worth 12 d yearly was attached to the Manor.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By deduction from the facts, stated below the name IVEZ was alternately for that of Minstead in the Xll & early XIII Centuries and yet was also the name of a fee held by special serjeanty by the descendants of the sons of Godric Malf, including lands in Minstead,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/jN3bbyySDa8FYyvT9" target="_blank">Bisterne (in Ringwood) </a>and <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/gEJafAKSELLofXNe9" target="_blank">Totton</a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These three Manors were from the first closely associated they were held by Godric Malf before the conquest by his sons in 1085 and follow the same descent in later years so it is reasonable to suppose they were also associated in the 12th century period yet Minstead under that name does not appear from the 11th to the 13th century period however in 1186 to 87 it is written that talich was due to the king from IVEZ, but a storm piston and Turlington Totton which belong to hear that of a rendered by the man of piston and tighten period the portion of huge EVA had a deadly by that time passed through there and that air was Andrew De IVEZ<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>who at the time of the test that Neville was holding one Burgate of land in Totton and was identical with the And Rudy Minstead who was also at this time according to an undated charter granting out adjoining land to get the testwood. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At the time of the Testa De Nevill, Reginald de Bettesthorne<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>who also evidently held the portion in Totton that had belonged to Robert son of Ulf and Maud de IVEZ were holding jointly in IVEZ. (Minstead) a Carucate of land for the service of one man armed with a halberd for 40 days in England and for finding the king whenever he should stay at IVEZ,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>straw for his horse.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Martin de IVEZ widow of Hugh and mother of Andrew was holding her moiety in dower but evidently died before 1248–9 in which year Andrew de IVEZ or Minstead as he was alternately called was said to hold jointly with John the Bettesthorne (then a minor) son and heir of Reginald and Maud, half a hide in Testwood, Eling & Bisterne by serjeanty.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>On the death of Andrew, in the same year,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>this property was described as “………lande a mill in “IVEZE” held for half the above serjeanty……”.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>His son and heir, William already 30 years old, succeeded to this property; the other half remained with John the Bettesthorne son of Reginald And Maud.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">William eBay what is called upon to serve the king in the following terms William to eat a son and air of And Rudy EV deceased who have land at Evers hence 27 September 12 49 ING summoned to serve against the Welsh he will serve in person with a horse Faberge helmet and Lance 15th September 12 77 having 430 140 in lands in Hampshire summoned to serve against the Scots 24th of June 1300–1 bracket p.W.) qualified for knighthood in 12 55–6, see record of nights of Edward one John the bed is Thorne and William to EV were said to be holding their land conjointly by the aforementioned surgeon tree while and 12 79–80 they were given as something lands of John the Bella Thorne and William Demense dead at the same date William – as William de Minstead was granting out neighbouring lands in Totton and Testwood.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From this time onwards the use of the name Yves as is substituted by that of Minstead Bella Thorne and Minstead continue to hold side-by-side their respective halves of the fee</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This in 1272, settlement was made on John the Baptist Dawn and Margaret is wife of one massage, 1050 acres of land 1000 acres of wood 3S.5D rent in Minstead, the Edwinson of Minstead church and land and rent in Totton et cetera representing the better store moiety.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And 1316 Walter Deborah Stone son of Margaret and John was holding Munstead conjointly with Julian a widow of William of rivers who represented the Minstead interest she was the widow of John them instead who was the son of William IV of form instead referred HEATHER to before her second marriage to William do rivers she was succeeded by Thomas de Minstead eldest son of her first marriage Thomas died and 1361.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p>1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0St Ives, UK50.208385799999988 -5.490886400000000821.898151963821142 -40.6471364 78.51861963617884 29.6653636tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-55762414478579835362019-02-23T18:03:00.000-08:002019-02-23T18:03:48.236-08:00Chapter 3 - K: Saturday 10th March - Logged 64 milesThe skipper had an anxious watch from 01.00 to 5.000h during which time the haze thickened and the aircraft noises proved to be the sound of breakers, as the current was setting us inshore. He pinched "Penelope" and managed to steer a more southerly course at a tangent from the land.<br />
<br />
Soon After, I went below, we lost Dassen Island light and failed to pick up, in the haze, the red and White occulting light on <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/MPpr8NTVwTp" target="_blank">Robben Island</a>, which should have winked through before Dassen Island Lighthouse was out of range.<br />
<br />
At 06.00h I awoke and saw Juan's sea-booted legs on the ladder leading to the Navigation room. The sound of breakers was very loud and Juan was just about to call the skipper. It was then daylight, the haze had lifted and "Penelope" was just making way (estimated speed 1.1/2 knots) about 300 metres from a lee-shore at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/3UiVNGQtb242" target="_blank">Blaauwberstrand</a>, with collosal (sic) breakers pounding on the sand and the rocks to port. We called the skipper quickly, threw off the guys and jibed to starboard, whilst the skipper dived into the engine room and got the diesel moving with incredible rapidity. We slowly drew off the land and I made a cup of tea for all hands, with fresh brown bread, butter and cheddar cheese, bought at Saldanha.<br />
<br />
Soon Afterwards Robben Island became visible through the haze, about 1.1/2 miles to starboard and we proceeded under sail and power into Table Bay.<br />
<br />
At around 09.00h the haze lifted, Table Mountain came into view, we lowered sail and picked up the pilot.<br />
<br />
By 10:30h we had passed through <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/d6rzm4vHony" target="_blank">Duncan dock</a> and were moored to a buoy in the Yacht basin, overlooking the handsome <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/byCUt8pvCHq" target="_blank">Royal Cape Yacht Club</a> dependencies.<br />
<br />
Our long voyage was over.<br />
<br />
Yet another vessel had reached her destination and the readers of the "Shipping Intelligence" column of "the Times" on Monday might notice the brief announcement: "Penelope arrd. C'town 10th".1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-89762398675838911672019-02-23T11:21:00.001-08:002019-02-23T11:22:07.455-08:00Chapter 3 - J: Friday 9th March - Logged Nil Spent the morning cleaning up "Penelope" with midshipman Pretorius, who is to sail down to Cape Town with us, with another middie, whilst the skipper and other crew members went off to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Guano_Island_claims" target="_blank">Guano Islands</a> to film the birds.<br />
<br />
After lunch ashore, we all went back on board the ketch to prepare her for sea. At 15.30h Commander Johnson and two of his senior officers came on board and we opened the bottle of champagne which had been reserved for our call at Tristan. Whilst they were looking over "Penelope" a signal came in from the Admiralty at Pretoria vetoing the trip of the two midshipmen, much to everyone's disappointment. Red tape again, presumably. As soon as our visitors departed, we hoisted "O V F" ("Thank you" in the International Code), slipped our moorings and put up the canvas. Soon we were reaching merrily down the harbour accompanied by the navy's biggest and best launch with Commander Johnson, officers, and men circling round us.<br />
<br />
Nearing the heads, the launch came almost alongside, caps were raised and we received a resounding "Hip Hip Hurrah". We returned the compliment and as they wheeled to return to their base, we (barring the man at the wheel) sprang into the rigging and waved our farewells from the mastheads. The skipper climbed hand over hand up the mizzen crosstrees. An amazing feat for a man of his age.<br />
<br />
Picked up a light North Westerly wind and set abroad-reach course to pass 5 miles outside <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/9k2tvjrYrR52" target="_blank">Dassen Island. </a><br />
<br />
The weather report says some fog but otherwise fair.<br />
<br />
I was on watch from 19.00-01.00h<br />
<br />
At midnight we had <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassen_Island_Lighthouse" target="_blank">Dassen Island light</a> abeam to port estimated distance off 5 miles.<br />
<br />
At 23.30h the 26,000 tons S/S "<a href="https://www.cruiselinehistory.com/the-dominion-monarch/" target="_blank">DOMINION MONARCH</a>" passed North 2 miles to starboard of us, a blaze of lights. Hazy<br />
<br />
The Skipper and I heard also, sounds resembling aircraft.<br />
<br />
Penelope logging 5 knots.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-49340212450031227932019-02-21T15:20:00.000-08:002019-02-22T16:41:23.606-08:00Chapter 3 - I: Thursday 8th March - Logged 16 Miles<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #1b0431; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; font-size: 18.2px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Awoke with an early morning cup of coffee, followed by a whopping breakfast.</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Went on board "Penelope" to fetch the movie camera, films and our soiled clothes which the Navy has offered to wash for us.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Skipper then showed some films of the earlier part of Penelope's voyage and gave an impromptu talk in the auditorium of 300 officers and men of the base. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Latter(sic) we filled up with fuel and water at the jetty and went into Saldanha village to buy some fresh fruit and vegetable for our final voyage to Cape Town.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My Sister Eda rang through from Cape Town to the base, having read of our arrival in the Cape Argus. I had previously sent her a telegram to Mossel Bay telling her we were at Saldanha. Unfortunately, we cannot send international cables from here so we must wait until we reach Cape Town for the "safe arrival" cables to Brazil.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the evening there was a cocktail party and buffet supper in the Ward Room, partly as a send-off for one of Commander Johnson's chief administrative officer Flick, who is leaving the base to join the "Good Hope" and partly in our honour. All the officers were present with their wives- very interested in the wild bearded men from Brazil! After the usual speeches, the skipper made a further resume of the trip helped by a blackboard and maps. He is accustomed to giving lectures and quickly obtains the interest of his audience.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Juan, who can only speak Spanish and a few words of French, had a whale of a time, consuming vast quantities of food and drink particularly a mixture of South African Brandy and Van de Hamm, an excellent local liqueur. He has learned a few words of Afrikaans already. Fortunately, perhaps, no one other than Oliver and I understood his final impassioned conversation with one of the officers' wives. He told her at great length that she had such wonderful blue eyes, rose-bud lips, delicate hands, etc. and that he really wanted nothing more than the privilege of taking her to bed with him. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The party thus ended happily and hilariously. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Slept again in our luxurious surroundings. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our hosts at: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
S.A.S. "<a href="http://www.navy.mil.za/peoplesnavy/saldanha/history.htm" target="_blank">DROMMEDARIS</a>" (the official name of the base)</div>
<div>
P.O. Saldanha</div>
<div>
C.P. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
are:- Commander James Johnson</div>
<div>
Lieut. Comdr. Bierman</div>
<div>
Lieut. Roy Kingon</div>
<div>
" J. Johannsen</div>
<div>
" Peter Ayris</div>
<div>
and others</div>
1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-42553327166195235172016-10-03T18:51:00.000-07:002016-10-03T18:51:01.913-07:00Chapter 3 - H: Wednesday 7th March - Logged 135 MilesThe skipper called me at 01.30h to replace him after 12 hours at the wheel, as the wind had moderated slightly. "Penelope" still logging 5 knots and labouring heavily through rough seas, shipping considerable spray. The sun rose at 05.00h and I looked in vain for land to leeward. Juan took over at 06.00h and soon afterwards the wind moderated further and we hoisted more canvas.<br />
<br />
The sky cleared somewhat and the sea slowly turned a dark green colour, sure sign we are entering shallow water. Flocks of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_gannet" target="_blank">South African gannets</a> soon appeared and we say diving birds, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormorant" target="_blank">shag</a> and a seal.<br />
<br />
The morning sight put us 25 miles NW of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saldanha_Bay" target="_blank">Saldanha Bay.</a> At 10.30h it was "Land HO"! as we say at last the long low coastline of Africa stretched out in the uncertain visibility ahead.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHh3apwB9giCVEPD0beY9ozlhTWOdSDZKYxwXjB4SlqY2qCo7ziz9ckkUZ5O_lzc1lXtrRmivwd7i_F31rJocMdBDsZI9IEMQul904oqnLzFT5zXxJosuExsM8UhHCRCgSH0SskluQsXY/s1600/14527481_10153775780977007_64930474_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHh3apwB9giCVEPD0beY9ozlhTWOdSDZKYxwXjB4SlqY2qCo7ziz9ckkUZ5O_lzc1lXtrRmivwd7i_F31rJocMdBDsZI9IEMQul904oqnLzFT5zXxJosuExsM8UhHCRCgSH0SskluQsXY/s640/14527481_10153775780977007_64930474_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Decided to run the engine again and to put into this excellent anchorage to re-fuel and re-water, rather than run the risk of being blown out again into the deadly currents and land up at<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Nolloth" target="_blank"> Port Nolloth</a>, not recommended anchorage, or in the last analysis, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%BCderitz" target="_blank">Luderitz Bay</a>! We soon identified North Head Lighthouse and Schooner Rock and at 13.30h - shortly after logging 4,000 miles from Rio, passed between the heads of the <a href="http://www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/policy-and-advocacy/item/247-sa105-west-coast-nat-l-park-saldanha-bay-island" target="_blank">Guano Islands</a> and entered Saldanha Bay.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQHalZ_y7zZMOrdYpvrp2f14fyaUPHWiqHYW7xacvlXpes4Sr6B3AGT7TLRlFVlY2u4oioHUE0_mpnW_aF6ArXhTQd954s-VJ6rjg8eKj6iDA1f-2K0vbkitZmNPXbprACz9agpi0tV7E/s1600/14556031_10153775780992007_237480519_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQHalZ_y7zZMOrdYpvrp2f14fyaUPHWiqHYW7xacvlXpes4Sr6B3AGT7TLRlFVlY2u4oioHUE0_mpnW_aF6ArXhTQd954s-VJ6rjg8eKj6iDA1f-2K0vbkitZmNPXbprACz9agpi0tV7E/s640/14556031_10153775780992007_237480519_n.jpg" width="580" /></a><br />
<br />
This bay, about 60 miles north of Cape Town, discovered originally by the Portuguese Admiral <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant%C3%B3nio_de_Saldanha_da_Gama,_Count_of_Porto_Santo" target="_blank">Saldanha da Gama </a>is the "natural" for the cape and Cape Town would undoubtedly have been built there had there been at that time, fresh water in the vicinity.<br />
<br />
During World War II the Bay was used as a convoy assembly station and on one occasion no less than 104 ships were anchored in the harbour including the "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Mary" target="_blank">Queen Mary</a>".<br />
<br />
We Lowered sail and approached the jetty in<a href="https://itouchmap.com/?c=sf&UF=-1237491&UN=-1809857&DG=BAY" target="_blank"> Houtjes Bay</a> where some types were fishing, whom we hailed on the megaphone. The fact that our last port was Rio seemed to shake them a trifle.<br />
<br />
We were soon tied up alongside and then fell, almost miraculously into the kindest possible hands of the South African Navy, who maintain a training school at Saldanha.<br />
<br />
We were invited immediately to the Commander's house and, lolling back in deep armchairs absorbed quantities of iced beer from pewter tankards. We find it difficult to walk straight on "terra firme" after 39 days at sea.<br />
<br />
Afterwards, we pulled off to a mooring buoy and were allocated accommodation in the officers quarters ashore, whence we repaired immediately. The joy of a big hot bath, in these circumstances, defies description.<br />
<br />
The welcome given us by the South African Navy was stupendous and, whether or not this can be taken as an example of S.African hospitality, to us it was manna from heaven. The officers are one and all charming and most helpful and they seemed to think we had done something rather exceptional in sailing "Penelope" over from Rio.<br />
<br />
Some S.African Sherry, an excellent dinner, and a night-cap completed the evening. How good it is to sleep in a real bed, which doesn't try to pitch you out every half minute!!<br />
<br />
Slept like a log.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-25220864937740144302014-12-13T21:07:00.001-08:002014-12-13T21:07:41.781-08:00Chapter 3 - G: Tuesday 6th March - Logged 96 MilesWith true South Atlantic fickleness yesterday's blow died down during the night, the sky cleared and Penelope's labouring eased somewhat.<br />
<br />
On my night watch the wind played funny tricks. Twice I found the sails aback and was obliged to turn a complete circle to windward before they eventually filled again. Some freak cyclonic disturbance no doubt, due to the proximity of the land.<br />
<br />
The sea turned much warmer and considerable phosphorescence was observed. Our wake appeared as thick white line astern and they<i>(sic) </i>wavy trails of the dolphins sparkled around us in the dark sea.<br />
<br />
Apart from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slangkop_Lighthouse" target="_blank">Slang Kop</a> Point Lighthouse, which shows 4 flashes (white) every 30 secs, and can be seen from a distance of 17 miles, there are three other lights which may become visible should we be lucky enough to make our landfall during the night, viz:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Point#mediaviewer/File:Lighthouse_Cape_Point,_South_Africa.JPG" target="_blank">Cape of Good Hope Lighthouse</a></li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Point_Lighthouse,_Cape_Town" target="_blank">Green Point Lighthouse</a></li>
<li><a href="http://lighthouses-of-sa.blogspot.ca/2009/01/robben-island-lighthouse.html" target="_blank">Robben Island Lighthouse</a></li>
</ul>
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In the event of bad weather coming up on our approaching Cape Town we can run for shelter under the lee of Robben Island, as recommended by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_First_Lords_of_the_Admiralty" target="_blank">Lords of the Admiralty</a>.</div>
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The situation, therefore, is, this morning:-</div>
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The noon fix, however, gave us a jerk, as we found ourselves exactly 55 files due North of our D.R. position, in Lat. 34°S, 125 miles due West of Cape Town. The Agulhas and Benguela currents have now entered into our calculations with a bang. The skipper decided to wear ship immediately but now it is too late for us to hit Cape Town without tacking, even though we are working the auxiliary "all out" in an effort to do so. To add fuel to the fire the wind increased during the afternoon to force 6/7 and backed two points, which allows us, at best to steer a NNEly course. We were soon obliged to stop the engine and shorten sail considerably and the skipper 'drove" Penelope, like I have never seen him do before. He remained in the cockpit from 14.30h onwards without a break. "Penelope" running with lee gunwales awash, close hauled to starboard, making heavy weather but 6 knots under great reduced canvas.</div>
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A tempestuous night.</div>
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1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-64563835406028937722013-11-12T20:30:00.003-08:002013-11-12T20:30:34.500-08:00Chapter 3 - F: Monday 5th March -- Logged 116 milesrunning the Easting down.<br />
<br />
Noon entry in the Official Log - "Fresh following wind, force 7, heavy following sea and swell, overcast and squally. Vessel labouring and taking water forward, aft and amidships".<br />
<br />
At noon the skipper decided to wear, so he took the helm whilst I manned the main sheet and Juan cast off the guy ropes and prepared the back stays. At a propitious moment, when all was ready, the skipper sang out "jibe-ho" and put the helm up.<br />
<br />
Round she came, slowly, whilst I hauled away on the main sheet and Juan ran aft with the windward back stay. Graceful as an albatross landing on the sea "Penelope's" boom swung over and she bore away on the port tack. Within a minute we were on our direct course to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slangkop_Lighthouse" target="_blank">Slang Kop Lighthouse</a>, distant 175 miles.<br />
<br />
Our rig today: <br />
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Menu: - Lunch - Lentil stew with bacon and onions</div>
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- Dinner - Lentil stew with bacon and onions</div>
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The skipper developed a bad headache in the afternoon and, taking advantage of the sun peeping out around 15.25h I took a sight and fixed our position at: - </div>
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Lat. 35º 16'S</div>
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Long. 15º 13'E</div>
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Oliver sick, but on duty as usual.</div>
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No trollin'</div>
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No foolin'</div>
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Fresh water tank empty. ON emergency supply.</div>
1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-837687088515310092013-11-09T18:10:00.000-08:002013-11-09T19:11:14.375-08:00Chapter 3 - E: Sunday 4th March - Logged 115 milesAlthough the days are very pleasant in these latitudes, with an "English sun" which warms one side of you but leaves the other side cold, the nights alternate between:-<br />
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Northerly winds - cold</div>
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Southerly winds - very cold</div>
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at least from the helmsman's point of view.</div>
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Sitting in the open cockpit for three hours during the night is quite an experience. For the first hour or so the body maintains its initial warmth - provided one is warm to start with and well wrapped up.</div>
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Sitting in the open cockpit for three hours during the night is quite an experience. For the first hour or so the body maintains its initial warmth -- provided one is warm to start with and well wrapped up. The second hour is a cooler process and eventually a kind of premature "rigor mortis" sets in during the third hour, after which much frictioning with a towel and a tot of whisky or rum is more than welcome, on turning in.</div>
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The skipper has a wonderful kapok-lined jacket, bought at Gieves, London which he kindly lends to Juan and me at nights. It is very cosy although we look like men from Mars, when wearing it.</div>
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Regarding "Penelope's" own clothes, her wardrobe is the following:</div>
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<u>"PENELOPE'S" Alternative Sail Plans</u></div>
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1. Ordinary working rig: jib, staysail, mainsail and mizzen.<br />2. Light weather rig: Genoa jipb substituting working jib and mizzen staysail added.<br />3. Reduced canvas: staysail and main only. Cutter rig.<br />4. Alternative method of reducing canvas: jib and mainsail only. Cutter rig.<br />5. Still another alternative: jib and mizzen only.<br />6. Squaresail, for steady (and not so steady) following winds. Wind must be dead aft.<br />7. Storm sails: bikini jib, main trisails and reduced mizzen (with two sets of reef points)<br />8. "The twins" (orelhas de burro) for following winds. These are set on booms in the bows, and clipped to forestay. The sheets are led aft, through quarter blocks and lashed to the tiller (substituting the wheel). Self steering.<br />
<br />
Rigs 1,2,3,4, and 5 have been used on the Rio/Cape Town run so far.<br />
Main and mizzen only can also be used, winged out, with following. winds.<br />
Altogether there are 20 sails on board "Penelope", including a brand new set of working sails which have not yet even been stretched. The set we are using is fairly old and it has been the skipper's hope that they will last until Cape Town, even though running repairs are carried out almost daily by Juan. These sails have not been changed during the shole voyage, so far from:-<br />
<br />
Paris - sailed 16th June 1955<br />
Le Havre<br />
Falmough (10 days for stores)<br />
Brest (1 month for engine repairs)<br />
Ponta Delgada (6 weeks in the Azores Islands for filming whalefishing)<br />
St. Vincent (Cape Verde Islands)<br />
Brava Islands ( " " " )<br />
St. Pauls Rocks<br />
Fernando Noronha Island (3 days)<br />
Recife (10 days)<br />
Salvador (4 days)<br />
Abrolhos Rocks (For Christmas dinner)<br />
Rio de Janeiro (1 month)<br />
<br />
Since a week out from Rio we have been flying the Rio Yacht Club flag at the main mast head, which has been a handsome and useful wind indicator.<br />
<br />
The situation between Juan and the skipper has improved somewhat I am glad to say.<br />
<br />
Juan has been teaching me some additions to my limited Spanish vocabulary:<br />
<br />
Boom - bota vara<br />
Halliard - Driza<br />
Gaff - Pico<br />
Shrouds - Obenque<br />
Topping lift - Biento<br />
Cleat - Corna-muça<br />
Jib - Foque<br />
Mainsail - Vela major<br />
Patent log - carreteira<br />
Cockpit - Chupeta<br />
Mizzen - Mezena<br />
etc.<br />
<br />
His favourite expressive oaths are "Criminales de Guerra" and "caga mi suegra".<br />
It took us some time to understand his frequent reference to "HIN-HAIR-NOOTS" - our predilection on the night watches (ginger nuts). He had read the green label on the package!!<br />
<br />
At 14.30h today we caught our third tunny, about 50 lbs. We were hoping for something smaller, to vary our fish diet with another kind of fish.<br />
<br />
During the afternoon the wind freshened at the sea got up so at night-fall we shortened canvas. Two reefs were taken on the main at 22.00h. <br />
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<br />1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-62384935385872260952011-10-12T20:25:00.000-07:002011-10-13T13:18:56.576-07:00Chapter 3 - d: Saturday 3rd March - Logged 124 milesAnother show-down this morning on the 01.00-04.00h watch, between the skipper and Juan. The Skipper, observing the tell-tale compass in his bunk caught Juan off his course 45º to the north on three separate occasions and bawled him out. Don't know what the reason is but Juan told me afterwards, when I took over from him, that the wind had died down and he bore away to maintain steerage way, rather than "Penelope" should stop completely. The skipper denies this and says it is an excuse for bad steering caused either by lack of concentration power or a complete lack of interest in the ship's destination and safety. Maybe we shall have to take Juan off steering at night and put him permanently in the galley. In this case the skipper and I would have to take all the night watches.<br />
<br />
During lunch time we saw a flock of about twelve Cape birds, the first indication that we are approaching Africa (320 miles as the crow flies to Cape Town at noon). They met and fraternised with our two faithful's: - "Dopey", a brown albatross which never takes the food we throw it, but which has followed us for the last three weeks, and "Blackie" a petrel which has been with us since very shortly after leaving Rio. He circles around us even at night, when we see him sometimes silhouetted against the moon and follow us, evidently, just for the fun of it. The albatross seems to disappear at night. We think he sleeps on the water.<br />
<br />
Later in the afternoon we almost ran down three white bellied killer whales. 15/20 feet, estimated 3 tons each:-<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmMkgQHKrMNS3DBX4yYiF91PK1bxsRuKwRU_g3pFOqiJXiNNhgx1yljByJKzzPaArKoEr6QkdjLKLKt76HnS-4RsluWvuilw0yk8IpZY-gGTwz25q7Bz_wYWYKq7I_3FWttQWldx-HKlh/s1600/whale" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" id=":current_picnik_image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhNEytoP0vYOaei_0KCYYfN03S_a3ds06Eq9yfEbcsAiefFDscwIgicrB3TliWm3Xoy5vrN1yv1Bt2KNAs2PU47bnNXeOWk1powlMiwfAuudcbCUx4WaN09I7FVkgJx670fD17XJraz3M/s1600/16807207516_dPTBw.jpg" /></a>The skipper thinks they have come to have a look at us, thinking we might be another whale, and therefore, prey. He dashed below for the movie camera but they turned tail and sounded immediately, just a few meters from "Penelope".<br />
<br />
We have not yet "smelt" africa and hope we don't too soon, as this would probably mean an off-shore wind, the last thing we want right now.<br />
<br />
Trolling for fish. No Catch.<br />
<br />
<br />1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-1205647837289000892011-10-12T19:20:00.000-07:002011-10-12T19:20:18.725-07:00Chapter 3 - c: Friday 2nd March - Logged 129 milesAt 07:00h 500 miles from Cape Town.<br />
<br />
During lunch we caught our second fish, a small (+16lbs) tunny which we shall eat immediately, although we still have quite a lot of tunny No.1 preserved in olive oil, which will feep for some time still.<br />
<br />
Launched bottle No. 6, with cork and orange stopper in<br />
<br />
Lat. 33 08'S<br />
Long. 9 00'E<br />
<br />
The noon position put us considerably up to the North, as we had experienced a 40 mile set since noon yesterday. Heading, as we are to a zone of contrary winds and the probable adverse effects of the aftermath of the Agulhas current we put about on to the starboard tack, to steer a SE'ly course.<br />
<br />
Both the British Admiralty Sailing Directions and the U.S. Navy Pilot chart insist that Cape Town must be approached, by eastbound sailing vessels, from the South West, and we are, at the moment in a most unfavourable position to do this. The Agulhas current sweeps westwards round the Cape of Good Hope, from Durban to Cape Town at a rate of as much as 100 miles a day, then continues, joined by Benguela current, up the coast of South West Africa. This is a factor which affects us very seriously. After Cape Horn the Cape of Good Hope is possibly the most dangerous coast in the world for approaching sailing vessels.<br />
<br />
We had had no opportunity so far to get sufficiently far South, partly due to adverse winds and partly through Juan's steering at night which is abominable. He doesn't seem able to concentrate on the wheel at all.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-30764373413776310792011-10-08T19:01:00.000-07:002019-02-24T08:34:32.217-08:00News (WARNING: SPOILER): a letter sharing love about Penelope Elle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z0QXxt52n7AfRFkj4k9DNGj4UiBWABxySUWXiXN-dLAk9w2wJVux4YEQabRn3O6QQBmVWkurIA7kvV2fd7_8EUECEg5HR7UQy65l6IZwzLTeIeb68mRQHnJ6uNkJEDb6J9pVA4l9rzHM/s1600/Another+crew+on+Penelope+Elle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z0QXxt52n7AfRFkj4k9DNGj4UiBWABxySUWXiXN-dLAk9w2wJVux4YEQabRn3O6QQBmVWkurIA7kvV2fd7_8EUECEg5HR7UQy65l6IZwzLTeIeb68mRQHnJ6uNkJEDb6J9pVA4l9rzHM/s320/Another+crew+on+Penelope+Elle.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Dear Mr. Frank Aldridge,<br />
<br />
I am Francisco O. Martins, and, as I think you already know, I met Your father when he arrived to Lourenço Marques ( actual Maputo ), Moçambique, sailing The Ketch Penelope Elle.<br />
I met him and his wife, together with my father that was at the time the leader of the so called Portuguese Youth Organization.<br />
This Organization had a Sailing School Department so to say, and it was agreed with your father, that Penelope Elle could be used by this Sailing School, that in compensation would take care of her and see to her proper conservation until such time when your father would decide differently.<br />
In fact major reconditioning and conservation work was carried on immediately and I , together with my Sailing School colleges enjoyed many, many hours of sound sailing on Penelope in the LM bay ( see attached picture ).<br />
<br />
Years later and after a missed attempt to sail her back to France ( fire on board and problems with crew to my knowledge ), she was sold to Mr. Eckie Eksteen ( South African pharmacist ), and sailed back to LM from Port Elizabeth ( were the trip had ended ). Being a great admirer of Penelope Elle together with my colleague Mário Crespo, we were given the responsibility to take good care of her in the name of her new owner, including sailing her frequently down to Durban and back, and we did so until 1970. We lived so many good moments and adventures in Penelope Elle, that, now retired, I and Mário Crespo ( one of today’s leading pivots in the private portuguese TV station SIC ), decided to try and recollect the history of this beautiful ketch, for which we can add a lot of stories and hopefully pictures as well.<br />
<br />
We are not trying to write a book, nor do we intend to make any profit out of this idea. It is simply a “ love affair” with Penelope Elle. Can you help us?<br />
We will share with you, Adele Aldridge, Gayle Remish, or anyone you point out to us, all the stories and pictures we will be able to collect.<br />
<br />
Penelope Elle was ”abandoned” by her owner following the controversial independence movement in Moçambique ( I had already left LM), and unfortunately it seems that she sunk in the LM bay, at her mooring, near the Matola village ( far end of LM bay). I have people in Moçambique trying to collect concise information on the last years of Penelope.<br />
<br />
Hope that you can help us, namely with some photos, pieces of her history, or whatever you think appropriate.<br />
I will keep in touch,<br />
Please accept my Kind Regards,<br />
<br />
Francisco Oliveira Martins<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-22178968815915382132011-10-08T19:00:00.000-07:002011-10-12T19:19:45.994-07:00Chapter 3 - b: Thursday 1st March - Logged 115 milesIn the absence of a spinner we have arranged a (double) tunny hook on the end of the troll line, and a "bait of orange and white horse hair.<br />
<br />
Made porridge for breakfast.<br />
<br />
Continued running the Easting down, averaging nearly 5 knots.<br />
<br />
600 miles from Cape Town.<br />
<br />
Both Oliver and I have lost considerable weight on this trip, albeit for different reasons. My own loss amounts to approximately 15lbs, due to unaccustomed exercise. In spite of the fact that one gets no walking exercise at all the body is consciously and subconsciously resisting the motion of the ship, the whole time, even when one is asleep. This, coupled with pure air to fill ones lungs and the lack of the normal preoccupations for the somewhat unbalanced diet at sea.<br />
<br />
It is strange to hear no telephones and no motor horns for week after week. Quite a rest for the nerves.<br />
<br />
Trolling for fish. No catch.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-75460614590498087622011-10-06T15:01:00.000-07:002011-10-12T19:19:30.099-07:00Chapter 2 - ab: Wednesday 29th February - Logged 91 milesLast night we had an explosion in the galley. Porridge jammed the safety-valve of the pressure cooker and when the lid was released it flew off, spattering hot porridge all over the bulkheads, deckhead, deck and various kitchen utensils. The galley looked rather like the aftermath of a Laurel & Hardy custard-pie throwing bout. It is strange that the pressure cooker affects the aneroid barometer. When the valve is opened the barometer drops, usually a couple of points. No doubt the instrument is too near the stove.<br />
<br />
At 01.00h today we were 700 miles from Cape Town.<br />
<br />
A heavy Southwesterly swell has been building up for the last day or two, which makes steering difficult, particularly with a following wind. "Penelope", or any other boat of her size for that matter, is apt to lose a lot of the wind in the troughs, which makes her roll heavily. As in the gale on the night of 23 February, the height from trough to crest was approximately the height of our mastheads.<br />
<br />
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Steering with the wind aft involves the serious possibilities of jibing and broaching to, on which the skipper has given us some timely lectures. Jibing in the heavy sea at best would mean torn sails and gear, and a lot of water on deck and might, in the worst analysis, even cause dismasting. "Broaching-to" can happen either after a jibe or, on the contrary, if the boat planes along the top of the seas too quickly, when the seas are travelling faster than the craft. She may lose steerage way, come up into the wind suddenly, broadside on to the swell when the first big roller will land on her deck - 10 or 15 tons of water - with a bang. If the hatchway to the cabin is open, as it usually is by day, then all this mass of water will fall below. Such treatment has, in the past caused vessels to founder.<br />
<br />
At lunch time, the wind having slackened, somewhat, Juan at the wheel, let the sails get aback - at the wheel, let the sails get aback - the beginning of a jibe. The skipper simply roared at him and he sat there, seemingly petrified. The man nearest the wheel grabbed it and swung the helm hard over. Fortunately it was not too late to bring "Penelope" round, but had the wind been stronger anything might have happened. The skipper is very worried about Juan's apparent recklessness and unconcern regarding important details of the sailing, especially on the night watches. Juan seems to think the skipper is a fussy old man and that he himself knows best. An awkward situation.<br />
<br />
We were eating a delicious dish of curried tunny and rice, with onions, potatoes, raisins and a bottle of J. Sherwood& Co's "Green Label" sweet sliced mango chutney at the time. The dish had been prepared at Oliver's request, but he was unfortunately unable to enjoy it due to "Penelope's" vicious roll.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-34799275289670120202011-01-14T20:18:00.000-08:002011-01-14T20:18:52.381-08:00Chapter 2 - aa: Tuesday 28th, February - Logged 126 milesThe Westerly wind continued during the night, during which we flew along at 5/6 and sometimes 7 knots. It looks as if, at long last we are out of the variables and 'running the Easting down" in the approved style. I suppose we can't have everything and our Westerlies are accompanied by a heavy Southerly swell which makes "Penelope" roll mercilessly. Nothing in the cabin nor to deck will stay "put" unless lashed down. In the galley all is chaos; the lentil soup pours over, half over the stove and half into the fruit salad, whilst the mixture of fruit salad and lentil soup, in it's turn, pours over the table and on to the deck or down into the cupboard where we keep canned goods for immediate use.<br />
<br />
Cups, plates, pans and jars jump clear of their brackets and shoot across the galley, whilst the "Primus" stove fails to vaporize the kerosene and big white flames shoot out from under the pans, adding gusts of black smoke and acrid fumes to the medley and the mess. <br />
<br />
How the skipper managed to produce our lunch today I wouldn't know. His curses - enough to make a parson blush - were heard all over the ship, even above the sound of the wind in the rigging. Nevertheless we partook of: -<br />
<br />
Cold fresh tunny and caper sauce<br />
Hot (canned) steak and kidney pie and potatoes in their jackets<br />
Canned marron glace paste<br />
<br />
in the cockpit (our dining room).<br />
<br />
We have suspended trolling as the fish have taken all the spinners!<br />
<br />
Logged 3,000 miles from Rio.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-59799639854317671672011-01-11T20:45:00.000-08:002011-01-11T20:45:22.418-08:00Chapter 2 - Z: Monday 27th, February - Logged 36 milesWe have now reached the point <span class="Unicode"><span style="font-size: x-large;">⊗<span style="font-size: small;"> on the square of the U.S. NAVY S. Atlantic pilot chart which serves as our wind and current guide.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAMd0GQFxB4hSUa6P9OXy6MrvgYjZkAmeqPDTx_onArwA_EkI8AhqyhNSLvXg7Dsmpn3r2LIexSRAoxny5793KLpQvcYtibwV6x3uNZwTWxbPNxCWft3T5NcKGe2m_QjhcfDqywaTXFvT/s1600/chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAMd0GQFxB4hSUa6P9OXy6MrvgYjZkAmeqPDTx_onArwA_EkI8AhqyhNSLvXg7Dsmpn3r2LIexSRAoxny5793KLpQvcYtibwV6x3uNZwTWxbPNxCWft3T5NcKGe2m_QjhcfDqywaTXFvT/s320/chart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Unicode"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> An excellent document (No.2600 Dec. Jan. Feb., price 30 cents). The arrows around the centre ring show percentages of prevailing winds; the feathers the average force to be expected and the small figures in the circles, the number of days in every hundred when calms may be expected. The red figure is the average number of gales to be expected in every 100 days. Today we got a real Westerly wind for the first time, after a rain squall, which may mean that we are at last "on the run" for the cape.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Unicode"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span>1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-72807962779331536372011-01-10T21:19:00.000-08:002011-01-10T21:19:10.427-08:00Chapter 2 - Y: Sunday 26th, February - Logged 65 milesLaunched bottle No.5 in :- Lat. 35° 55'S<br />
Long. 00° 00'<br />
<br />
with dark green stopper and a cork, in addition.<br />
<br />
The Chronometer has been very erratic lately and we are very grateful to get the time signals over the ship's Stomberg Carlson radio receiver, from Washington D.C. observatory, which always come through very clearly at night, more so than the English signals. In addition to this radio we have a radio direction finder - useful in the British seas and narrow waters in thick weather and, finally, a portable radio, stowed in a yellow waterproof jacket, next to the RFD dinghy (see Feb 20) to be placed in the dinghy in the event of our having to abandon ship. This is a remarkable little generator-radio, which generates its own power by having a handle turned. A shipwrecked mariner, therefore, as long as he has any strength left, can turn the handle with one hand and press the S.O.S. button, which transmits automatically the S.O.S. signal, continuously. There are in all 3 buttons, as follows:-<br />
<br />
a) - S.O.S. transmitter button<br />
b) - Morse radio transmission (to indicate position of survivors)<br />
c) - Morse lamp transmission<br />
<br />
There is a telescopic steel aerial, to cover about 15 miles and a flying Aerial, sent aloft either on a kite or a hydrogen-gas balloon (both supplied with the apparatus) which covers a radius of several hundred miles.<br />
<br />
The radio is packed in a small attache case, on which there are printed full instructions including the Morse code.<br />
<br />
Today we sounded the fresh water tank again, which showed 50 litres only. Lucky the skipper has three carboys of Bahia water and some flagons from Rio in reserve. The water situation is now extremely serious and will become critical if we don't get sufficient rain soon to try out the P.D.C.D. on the mainsail. An hour's good rain (with no spray!) would be sufficient, we think to fill the tank.<br />
<br />
Slatting around all day practically no wind. <br />
<br />
No trolling.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-73996994842242166292011-01-09T19:06:00.000-08:002011-01-09T19:06:19.518-08:00Chapter 2 - X: Saturday 25th, February - Logged 115 miles"Wham" went the trip-line on the troll in Lat. 35°17'S, Long 02°00'W at 9.00h, on Olivers watch, indicating that: -<br />
a) a bunch of seaweed (we have seen a lot floating around recently)<br />
or b) a big fish<br />
had attached itself to the spinner.<br />
<br />
Juan started hauling the 5mm nylon line - some job too - whilst I called the skipper, who was taking a cat nap. Soon a huge white Tunny came into view. Too heavy to haul on board directly the skipper harpooned the fish, exceedingly skilfully I thought, and we hauled him on board in the net.<br />
<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A beauty, estimated at 60 lbs, and big enough to keep us going on fresh fish until the end of the voyage D.V.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After preliminary photographing and filming - some filming of the skipper cuddling the fish, and cutting it up, was done by me - the real work of carving, sorting and preparing parts for preserving commenced.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The filming on this voyage is being done for the French (Govt. Controlled) television, with whom the skipper has a £1.000 contract. As there is close cooperation between the French television and the B.B.C. it is possible that some of our escapades will be shown in England in due course.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bulk of the meat of the tunny is being cooked and kept soaking in olive oil. Today's menu for lunch:-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Gin and orange</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Fresh boiled Tunny; potatoes and sauce</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Argentine peaches (canned)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Orangeade (from bottled O.J)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Coffee</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How good fresh fish tastes, after 28 days at sea!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are now down in the 36º parallel and have experienced already some light westerly winds.</div>1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-45583758372534521652011-01-06T18:57:00.000-08:002011-01-06T18:57:56.678-08:00Chapter 2 - W: Friday 24th, February - Logged 88 milesThe weather improved during the night and dawn broke with a nearly cloudless sky, the wind having fallen considerably. The aftermath of the swell remains but it is now once more possible to take a step across the deck without grabbing some part of the rigging previously or being thrown on one's neck.<br />
<br />
<br />
In the afternoon the wind died completely and we ran for 12 hours almost due South, on power in search of "the Westerlies".<br />
<br />
Sighted, about 2 miles ahead, a large school of Tunny Fish jumping out of the water, apparently feeding on lesser fish and obviously having a great time.<br />
<br />
The skipper went forward with the harpoon but the Tunny were evidently moving southwards at a greater speed than "Penelope" and we failed to catch up with them.<br />
<br />
Observed considerable quantities of kelp.<br />
<br />
Trolling for fish. No Catch.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-7108875726375774712011-01-06T18:40:00.000-08:002011-01-06T18:40:27.316-08:00Chapter 2 - V: Thursday 23nd, February - Logged 129 milesDiscovered a large (1,50m long) piece of Tristan seaweed on "Penelope's" fore deck at day-break. Caught in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halyard">halyards</a>, having been thrown up by the sea.<br />
<br />
Last night was bedlam let loose. We reefed the mainsail at 01,00h and ran on our course, at a good speed, averaging 6 knots through the night.<br />
<br />
In addition to the fresh breeze we ran into a succession of squalls of gale force and some downpours of rain. "Penelope", as a boat, behaved splendidly, but what a motion!<br />
<br />
In the past I have sympathized with, from the broad deck of a steamer, the dogger-bank fishermen working in their drifters in the shallow, steep, north sea, and wondered how they could possibly work, or even think, in all that tossing. Last night we had some of it ourselves. Normally running with lee gunwales awash "Penelope" rode majestically over each successive swell, only to roll steeply over to the other side on the downward plunge into the trough. From crest to trough was about the height of our masts. Losing part of the wind, in the trough, she would right herself with a vicious jerk and then roll again to leeward as she picked up the wind again. Then, approaching the crest again she would give a corkscrew motion apparently in defiance of the treatment, and resume her downward plunge. In addition to this, at the end of each sudden gust she would go into a quick see-saw motion, one moment with the bowsprit buried in the sea and the next with it rearing drunkenly up in the air. It was terrific. No stomach could resist such motion.<br />
<br />
My watches were 19.00-22.00h and 04.00-07.00h but I was called out in addition at 01.00h to take the wheel whilst the skipper and Juan reefed the mainsail.<br />
<br />
Around midnight I was lying in the cabin, fully clothed and sea-booted waiting for the emergency and listening to the deafening cacophony of the wind howling and the rigging, the straining of halyards, topping lifts, sheets, guys and lashings, the pounding of the sea on "Penelope's" foredeck and the constant wash of water over the port holes when, half dreaming I thought I heard the staysail being lowered.<br />
<br />
The skipper was on watch at the time and I thought to myself "That crazy man has left the wheel to lower the staysail by himself, in order not to disturb (!) the crew" - he is most considerate always in that respect. Shortly afterwards "Penelope" started her see-saw motion and quietened down a trifle. I had the impression that we had hove-to. Everything was suddenly so quiet, relatively, that I had the feeling he had gone overboard - a very easy thing to do on a night like this. I leaped up the deck ladder and happily was most relieved and reassured to see his familiar outline in the faint glare of the binnacle lamp, crouched over the wheel in a cloud of flying spindrift. I gave him a cheery hail and went below again.<br />
<br />
The sun rose like a big red ball, during my morning watch, and plunged immediately into a dense black cloud bringing a further heavy rain squall to wash off the salt caked on my oilskins!<br />
<br />
Oliver relieved me at 07.00h, pausing to vomit over the side before grabbing the wheel manfully, with a wan smile. He looked rather pathetic with his little red beard and sou'wester rammed down his ears. Bully for 01.<br />
<br />
Yesterday the skipper spontaneously voiced my sentiments, as he said to me "I am profoundly grateful to Oliver for having, in spite of his continued sea-sickness, maintained his day watches all through this voyage, thus relieving us to get some sleep during the day and maintain the routine running of the ship. I don't know how we could have managed, without his help".<br />
<br />
All day long we ploughed through the heavy seas, fighting our way eastwards in a running battle against the equinox.<br />
<br />
130 miles made good from noon to noon. <br />
<br />
Trolling for fish. No catch.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-79703562137387186302011-01-03T12:04:00.000-08:002011-01-05T20:36:22.971-08:00Chapter 2 - U: Wednesday 22nd, February - Logged 82 milesThe skipper is worried about the increase of water accumulating in the bilges, seeping as it does, through the bob-stay bolt in the stem, which was examined carefully today from both in-board and out-board:-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZL_GqWXUeU3jlvlnvqBpkF0Gp7k7ta989uStXt1Wi7AIESvt1ebwFrzUgeQEwa1NO_oeWNpBTrNkw7947NUdw-pWBoXCDWmtz1to7oGwIoIBtm3MW-tCKCAW7TCv0vBwa9ANdkGLrwq4/s1600/bolt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZL_GqWXUeU3jlvlnvqBpkF0Gp7k7ta989uStXt1Wi7AIESvt1ebwFrzUgeQEwa1NO_oeWNpBTrNkw7947NUdw-pWBoXCDWmtz1to7oGwIoIBtm3MW-tCKCAW7TCv0vBwa9ANdkGLrwq4/s320/bolt1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
This bolt was made - by some criminal, before "Penelope" was acquired by the skipper- of iron and not, as it should have been, or non ferrous metal, The jib pulls off the jib boom, subjecting the bolt-stay and bolt to considerable strain. It is possible that this bolt may soon carry away. We hope not. It is very rusted up.<br />
<br />
After noon today the weather became more threatening and the heavy SWly swell lengthened as the wind freshened. Blowing hard we struck the mizzen sail at 22.00h<br />
<br />
Trolling for fish. No catch.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-55463815547309325622011-01-01T21:30:00.000-08:002011-01-01T21:30:19.744-08:00Chapter 2 - T: Tuesday 21st, February - Logged 126 milesLaunched bottle No.4 in: - Lat. 34° 10'S<br />
Long. 7° 50'W<br />
<br />
with a pale green stopper.<br />
<br />
During the afternoon the wind veered two points, enabling us to steer a slightly more Southerly course, much to everyone's satisfaction. <br />
<br />
Paraffin (kerosene) has now become a very important item, as stocks are visibly dwindling and without it we cannot work the primus stove, hence no hot food, which would be disastrous. The skipper considers the food question almost if not quite as important as the navigation.<br />
<br />
A crew must be well fed, not only to maintain their physique but their morale, apt to slip on a long voyage uninterrupted by ports of call.<br />
<br />
So far there have been no signs of this, though we are beginning to tire of tinned food. Fresh, we still have left:-<br />
<br />
Potatoes - +\- 2 weeks<br />
Onions - +\- 1 weeks<br />
Pumpkins - 2<br />
Sweet Potatoes - 5<br />
<br />
All the fresh fruit has gone, but it lasted well so we cannot grumble.<br />
<br />
I hope the Jap radioed Lloyd's yesterday, as then the folk in Rio will know we are still in the land of the living. It seems strange to be in Limbo for a month.<br />
<br />
Have told the skipper that he must not grumble about his crew, signed on at 48 hours notice, as their efficiency cannot be compared with that of his previous crew, which took 3 months to engage and had 9 months' practical experience when they deserted Rio. He seems very happy all-in-all in spite of the fact we are a bit slow in changing sails, and are very undisciplined. He is trying to sign me on for a round the world cruise, in 1959.<br />
<br />
Sounded the fresh water tank again, which showed that supplies are getting uncomfortably low. With the idea of controlling our fresh water, reserved strictly for cooking and drinking we have been all along rationed to one mug-full per day each, for toothcleaning. Apparently Juan misunderstood these instructions and has been too liberal at the pump. This, coupled to the lack of rain, has caused the present serious shortage.<br />
<br />
Trolling for fish. No catch.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-16651547950400114612010-12-31T19:28:00.000-08:002010-12-31T19:28:37.388-08:00Chapter 2 - S: Monday 20th, February - Logged 116 milesThere was a showdown at 04.00h today when the skipper discovered Juan sailing Penelope down wind, with the sails sheeted in, two points northwards of our established course, in order to make better speed. Juan seems to have a speed complex and this is the third night it has happened. The skipper has a "tell tale" compass attached to the deckhead in his bunk, immediately above his head and watches the steering like a hawk. In fact we call him "El vigilante".<br />
<br />
The thing is that we are now actually on the latitude of Cape Town we must go 2°/3° further south, not only to get into the area of prevailing westerly winds but in order to approach Cape Town from the SW, as recommended forcibly in the Admiralty Sailing Directions, for the period December/March, in order not to be swept up the coast of SW Africa by the Agulhas current. Furthermore there are favourable currents indicated below Lat 37° which might help us along to the tune of 20m/30m per day. So far Southerly winds have forced us along a course due East, when we should have made more Southing.<br />
<br />
Our albatrosses have returned, all six of them, and are circling round the ship so gracefully, skimming the water with the wingtips almost touching never quite touching the sea. The skipper says they probably went to see their cousins at Tristan da Cunha.<br />
<br />
Brushed and put away in a dryer place my suede shoes which are already showing signs of mildew.<br />
<br />
The weather is very much colder and a tot of whisky when coming off watch at night is most welcome.<br />
<br />
The life-saving equipment in "Penelope" is in accordance with the skipper's thoroughness in other matters. Apart from the two life buoys hanging in the mizzen shrouds we each have an R.F.D. life jacket handy, about the size of a ladies handbag, which can be strapped on and has a charge of CO2 gas for auto-inflation when a cord is pulled. In addition to this we have the service dinghy, made of plastic material and a very special collapsible R.F.D. dinghy for six people which stows in a very small place, lashed to the mainmast, in the cabin. This dinghy is also auto inflated, in 30 seconds, after the cord is pulled and adopts a shape:-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6iQB-Reo5CKgj30TKVK1zq7nEfcJnvlHcLCFBvu_BW7au4PCpvgfn3JUFjm8BfIC6vHmWQXGeKuxQ208uPiRNJpX0fBz0U8qhAuO4PvUcKMU3fcg0J2VlpjkKgBYvbfXOmi2GIkUYhoS/s1600/dinghy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_1105717684"></span><span id="goog_1105717685"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb-GH96wPvXfAGbXiOTxOynIEKBPstF1YZBr1-0ZivMPpK_57cnkC5Sm4uvnlzywgQTgig6suWgivFdKkATsLh8R9izwNMdEN8bqNoy0Uq17gBQNxVJu2z4nWKnSiMXKn6vVrKbF2dGN9/s1600/dinghy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb-GH96wPvXfAGbXiOTxOynIEKBPstF1YZBr1-0ZivMPpK_57cnkC5Sm4uvnlzywgQTgig6suWgivFdKkATsLh8R9izwNMdEN8bqNoy0Uq17gBQNxVJu2z4nWKnSiMXKn6vVrKbF2dGN9/s320/dinghy1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The dinghy contains the following equipment:-<br />
Gas charge Fishing Kit<br />
Weather cover Sea anchor<br />
Bellows Rescue Line<br />
Leak stoppers Floating knive<br />
Repair outfit Paddles<br />
<br />
and an emergency pack containing:-<br />
<br />
Emergency rations (vitamin pills, chocolate, etc for six persons for 12 days)<br />
3 - 160oz tins of fresh water<br />
De-salting unit<br />
Distress signals<br />
Mast and distress flag<br />
Torch<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliograph">Heliograph</a><br />
Fluorescine sea markers<br />
Waterproof matches<br />
Whistle<br />
Viscose compressed sponge<br />
Baler<br />
Compass<br />
There is also a special emergency apparatus for distilling sea-water, to make fresh water, by a process of evaporation as well as Rockets and Parachute Flares.<br />
<br />
Apparently this dinghy can be used also as a tent in the event of its occupants landing up on a desert island! It is the latest word in post-war life saving equipment, and costs £150 ex-factory.<br />
<br />
Trolling for fish. No catch.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-9835478561315778472010-12-30T21:00:00.000-08:002010-12-30T21:00:46.725-08:00Chapter 2 - R: Sunday 19th February - Logged 99 miles"Penelope" continues to plough her way East, helped by a rolling Westerley swell. We are now in Longitude 12ºW. Cape Town is situated in Longitude 18ºE With luck we can eat up 2º of Longitude per day - which makes 15 days to Cape Town. In a sailing boat one cannot, and must not, however, be ever too sure. Often the unpredictable happens, but we have a stout vellel and a stout crew, inspired by a splendid skipper, so the initial chagrin of having to sacrifice our call at Tristan is tempered with optimism, on the long haul still before us.<br />
<br />
At all cost we must avoid the equinoctial gales which customarily sweep around the Cape of Good Hope during the second half of March. "Fair winds to the Cape" is what we now want, above all. <br />
<br />
Rain during the morning provided the where with all for a washing day. Clothes, towels and bodies received welcome ablutions from the skies.<br />
<br />
Oliver better today.<br />
Soon after 23.00h, in Lat. 34º 41ºS, Long 11º 15ºW, the skipper sighted a steamer's navigation lights on our port quarter coming up astern. Altered course northwards to lessen the distance (estimated 5 miles) between us, and prepared the Aldis Lamp for signalling.<br />
<br />
After some preliminary attemps to establish communication, prejudiced by the fact that we were swamping in the sea and at times our lamp dipped in the trough of the swell, the following conversation took place:-<br />
<br />
Penelope - I wish to communicate with you (signal)<br />
Steamer - Go ahead (signal)<br />
<br />
Subsequently in plain language:<br />
<br />
P: Yacht Penelope Elle from Rio to Cape Town 22 days out please report us all well to <a href="http://www.lloyds.com/">Lloyd's London.</a><br />
S: What is your call sign?<br />
P: MVZQ. Thank you. What ship?<br />
S: Japanese Tanker "<a href="http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships/company/hinodekisen_sengo_list1.htm">EIHO MARU</a>" Santos to Durban<br />
P: Who is President of Brazil?<br />
S: Juscelino Kubitschek<br />
P: Thanks Good Night Bon Voyage<br />
S: Thanks Same to you<br />
<br />
Shortly after Midnight her sternlight dipped below our forward horizon and we were once again alone in the Atlantic.<br />
<br />
Trolling for fish. No Catch.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-39078642070923851962010-12-29T20:37:00.000-08:002010-12-29T20:37:28.588-08:00Chapter 2 - Q: Saturday 18th February - Logged 125 milesGood-bye for the time being to blue skies and calm seas. Today dawned overcast and threatening and during the morning the wind freshened, with rain, and backed slowly to South - dead against our direct course to Tristan. We went over on the starboard tack around noon and were obliged to follow an Easterly course. If these conditions continue we shall have to cancel our proposed call at Tristan da Cunha.<br />
<br />
Continued all p.m. and evening running due East, along the 35th parallel.<br />
<br />
The captain and I sounded the fresh water tank - he said he had not had the courage to do it before - and found our water supply very low. over the total capacity of 600 liters we have already consumed 450 so strict economy must be the order of the day from now on. Apart from rain, we had been hoping to replenish fresh water and some vegetable supplies at Tristan. "Destination Cape Town" now has added significance.<br />
<br />
Oliver sick again.<br />
<br />
Trolling for fish. No catch.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4144335842312325247.post-75728831124950604862010-12-29T20:08:00.000-08:002010-12-29T20:08:43.495-08:00Chapter 2 -P : Friday 17th of February -- logged 125 milesJuan has been very communicative, telling me all about his varied experiences in the Spanish Navy. He is a basque from Bilbao, has fair hair and blue eyes and his real name apparently is Juan Cortizo y Chandevarrie. Basquly picturesque. He is a good man on dock but a trifle undisciplined, and invariably questions the skipper's orders, which doesn't promote harmony! I, as mate, am a sort of buffer-state between them, as well as chief translator. He annoys the skipper intensily by trying to establish speed records for "Penelope", particularly at night. We are wearing our oldest sails and the skipper naturally doesn't want them torn through unnecessary strain.<br />
<br />
Yesterday we discovered we were running out of sugar, which, although for me means little, for the skipper and Juan, who are both sweet tooths, the matter is serious.<br />
<br />
We have colossal stocks of tinned and preserved foods, however including:-<br />
<br />
<ol><li>Porridge (enough for 1 year)</li>
<li>Canned Corned beef</li>
<li> " sausages</li>
<li> " galantine</li>
<li> " steak and vegetable</li>
<li> " meat loaf</li>
<li> " bacon</li>
<li> " tongue</li>
<li> " steak and kidney pie</li>
<li> " soups (chicken, mushroom and oxtail)</li>
<li> " pate (four kinds)</li>
<li> " anchovies</li>
<li> " cod roes</li>
<li> " peaches</li>
<li> " pineapples</li>
<li> " prunes</li>
<li> " and bottled jams of all types</li>
<li> " marmalade</li>
<li> " butter</li>
<li> " asparagus</li>
<li> " milk</li>
<li> " peas</li>
<li> " spinach</li>
<li> " margarine</li>
<li> " hear of palm</li>
<li> " Cape Lobster</li>
<li> " Cape grape fruit</li>
<li> " Lyles golden syrup</li>
<li> " Xmas Puddings</li>
<li>Ships biscuits (enough for a year) - our substitute for bread</li>
<li>Canned beetroot</li>
<li> " guava jelly</li>
<li> " cajus</li>
<li> " and bottled honey</li>
<li> " mushroom</li>
<li>Bovril</li>
<li>Vermicelli</li>
<li>Macaroni</li>
<li>Cream crackers</li>
<li>Digestive Biscuits</li>
<li>Tea (enough for a year)</li>
<li>Coffee</li>
<li>Chick Peas</li>
<li>Rice</li>
<li>Lentils</li>
<li>Carr's ginger nuts (stacks of them)</li>
<li>Cocoa</li>
<li>Nescafe</li>
<li>Dried apricots</li>
<li>Salted almonds</li>
<li>Baking powder</li>
<li>Haricot vert</li>
<li>Raisins</li>
<li>Chocolate bars</li>
<li>Creme de marron (marron glace confiture) - note: chestnut cream</li>
<li>Powdered milk (4 different kinds of powdered milk. One type of pure milk, straight milk canned. Different types of sweet and unsweetened milks, essential to vary type of milk used.</li>
<li>Condiments - </li>
<ol><li>Saffron</li>
<li>Curry powder</li>
<li>Mustard</li>
<li>Vanilla</li>
<li>Pepper</li>
<li>Pickles</li>
<li>Pickled onions</li>
<li>Pickled walnuts</li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piccalilli">Picalilli</a></li>
<li>Chutney</li>
<li>Cinnamon</li>
<li>Cloves</li>
<li>Nutmeg</li>
<li>Horseradish Sauce</li>
<li>Fine herbs</li>
<li>Salt</li>
<li>Gherkins</li>
<li>Salad oil</li>
<li>Capers</li>
<li>Olives</li>
<li>Mincemeat</li>
<li>Ground Ginger</li>
</ol><li>Bottled orange juice</li>
<li>Whisky</li>
<li>Gin</li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cacha%C3%A7a">Cachaca</a> (Brazilian fire-water)</li>
<li>Champagne</li>
<li>Madeira wine</li>
<li>Congnac</li>
<li>Bitters</li>
</ol>Today Juan spotted a sea-swallow - such a small bird to be seen so far out to sea - and I was thrilled to hear him sing out "Mire, un pajarito".<br />
<br />
We did our record run, from noon to noon, over the ground - 144 miles - and are now only 240 miles from Tristan da Cunha.<br />
<br />
During the morning watch the wind freshened considerably and as we had to haul down the mainsail for repairs. "Penelope" rolled herself silly all through lunchtime. Oliver, nevertheless, lunched on curry and rice, cracking jokes meanwhile.<br />
<br />
After lunch the wind backed to NW. Maybe it is a sing of "The Westerlies" which we have been pursuing for the last two weeks.<br />
<br />
Trolling for fish. No catch.1http://www.blogger.com/profile/08750067468409310193noreply@blogger.com0