Ketch Penelope

Chapter 3 - d: Saturday 3rd March - Logged 124 miles

2011-10-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

Another 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.

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.

Later in the afternoon we almost ran down three white bellied killer whales. 15/20 feet, estimated 3 tons each:-

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".

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.

Trolling for fish. No Catch.

Chapter 3 - c: Friday 2nd March - Logged 129 miles

2011-10-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

At 07:00h 500 miles from Cape Town.

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.

Launched bottle No. 6, with cork and orange stopper in

Lat. 33 08'S
Long. 9 00'E

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.

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.

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.

News (WARNING: SPOILER): a letter sharing love about Penelope Elle

2011-10-08T19:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Frank Aldridge,

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.
I met him and his wife, together with my father that was at the time the leader of the so called Portuguese Youth Organization.
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.
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 ).

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.

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?
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.

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.

Hope that you can help us, namely with some photos, pieces of her history, or whatever you think appropriate.
I will keep in touch,
Please accept my Kind Regards,

Francisco Oliveira Martins

Chapter 3 - b: Thursday 1st March - Logged 115 miles

2011-10-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

In 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.

Made porridge for breakfast.

Continued running the Easting down, averaging nearly 5 knots.

600 miles from Cape Town.

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.

It is strange to hear no telephones and no motor horns for week after week. Quite a rest for the nerves.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter 2 - ab: Wednesday 29th February - Logged 91 miles

2011-10-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

Last 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.

At 01.00h today we were 700 miles from Cape Town.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chapter 2 - aa: Tuesday 28th, February - Logged 126 miles

2011-01-14T20:18:00.000-08:00

The 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.

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.

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: -

Cold fresh tunny and caper sauce
Hot (canned) steak and kidney pie and potatoes in their jackets
Canned marron glace paste

in the cockpit (our dining room).

We have suspended trolling as the fish have taken all the spinners!

Logged 3,000 miles from Rio.

Chapter 2 - Z: Monday 27th, February - Logged 36 miles

2011-01-11T20:45:00.000-08:00

We have now reached the point ⊗ on the square of the U.S. NAVY S. Atlantic pilot chart which serves as our wind and current guide.

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.

Chapter 2 - Y: Sunday 26th, February - Logged 65 miles

2011-01-10T21:19:00.000-08:00

Launched bottle No.5 in :- Lat. 35° 55'S
                                            Long. 00° 00'

with dark green stopper and a cork, in addition.

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:-

     a) - S.O.S. transmitter button
     b) - Morse radio transmission (to indicate position of survivors)
     c) - Morse lamp transmission

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.

The radio is packed in a small attache case, on which there are printed full instructions including the Morse code.

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.

Slatting around all day practically no wind.

No trolling.

Chapter 2 - X: Saturday 25th, February - Logged 115 miles

2011-01-09T19:06:00.000-08:00

"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: -
a) a bunch of seaweed (we have seen a lot floating around recently)
or b) a big fish
had attached itself to the spinner.

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.

A beauty, estimated at 60 lbs, and big enough to keep us going on fresh fish until the end of the voyage D.V.

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.

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.

The bulk of the meat of the tunny is being cooked and kept soaking in olive oil. Today's menu for lunch:-

Gin and orange

Fresh boiled Tunny; potatoes and sauce

Argentine peaches (canned)

Orangeade (from bottled O.J)

Coffee

How good fresh fish tastes, after 28 days at sea!

We are now down in the 36º parallel and have experienced already some light westerly winds.

Chapter 2 - W: Friday 24th, February - Logged 88 miles

2011-01-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

The 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.

In the afternoon the wind died completely and we ran for 12 hours almost due South, on power in search of "the Westerlies".

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.

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.

Observed considerable quantities of kelp.

Trolling for fish. No Catch.

Chapter 2 - V: Thursday 23nd, February - Logged 129 miles

2011-01-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

Discovered a large (1,50m long) piece of Tristan seaweed on "Penelope's" fore deck at day-break. Caught in the halyards, having been thrown up by the sea.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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".

All day long we ploughed through the heavy seas, fighting our way eastwards in a running battle against the equinox.

130 miles made good from noon to noon.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter 2 - U: Wednesday 22nd, February - Logged 82 miles

2011-01-03T12:04:00.000-08:00

The 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:-

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.

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

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter 2 - T: Tuesday 21st, February - Logged 126 miles

2011-01-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

Launched bottle No.4 in: - Lat. 34° 10'S
                                               Long. 7° 50'W

with a pale green stopper.

During the afternoon the wind veered two points, enabling us to steer a slightly more Southerly course, much to everyone's satisfaction.

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.

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.

So far there have been no signs of this, though we are beginning to tire of tinned food. Fresh, we still have left:-

     Potatoes - +\- 2 weeks
     Onions    - +\- 1 weeks
     Pumpkins - 2
     Sweet Potatoes - 5

All the fresh fruit has gone, but it lasted well so we cannot grumble.

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.

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.

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.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter 2 - S: Monday 20th, February - Logged 116 miles

2010-12-31T19:28:00.000-08:00

There 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".

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.

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.

Brushed and put away in a dryer place my suede shoes which are already showing signs of mildew.

The weather is very much colder and a tot of whisky when coming off watch at night is most welcome.

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:-

The dinghy contains the following equipment:-
     Gas charge                                                   Fishing Kit
     Weather cover                                              Sea anchor
     Bellows                                                        Rescue Line
     Leak stoppers                                               Floating knive
     Repair outfit                                                Paddles

and an emergency pack containing:-

     Emergency rations (vitamin pills, chocolate, etc for six persons for 12 days)
     3 - 160oz tins of fresh water
     De-salting unit
     Distress signals
     Mast and distress flag
     Torch
     Heliograph
     Fluorescine sea markers
     Waterproof matches
     Whistle
     Viscose compressed sponge
     Baler
     Compass
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.

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.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter 2 - R: Sunday 19th February - Logged 99 miles

2010-12-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

"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.

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.

Rain during the morning provided the where with all for a washing day. Clothes, towels and bodies received welcome ablutions from the skies.

Oliver better today.
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.

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:-

Penelope - I wish to communicate with you (signal)
Steamer   - Go ahead (signal)

Subsequently in plain language:

P:   Yacht Penelope Elle from Rio to Cape Town 22 days out please report us all well to Lloyd's London.
S:    What is your call sign?
P:    MVZQ. Thank you. What ship?
S:    Japanese Tanker "EIHO MARU" Santos to Durban
P:    Who is President of Brazil?
S:    Juscelino Kubitschek
P:   Thanks     Good Night    Bon Voyage
S:   Thanks Same to you

Shortly after Midnight her sternlight dipped below our forward horizon and we were once again alone in the Atlantic.

Trolling for fish. No Catch.

Chapter 2 - Q: Saturday 18th February - Logged 125 miles

2010-12-29T20:37:00.000-08:00

Good-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.

Continued all p.m. and evening running due East, along the 35th parallel.

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.

Oliver sick again.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter 2 -P : Friday 17th of February -- logged 125 miles

2010-12-29T20:08:00.000-08:00

Juan 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.

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.

We have colossal stocks of tinned and preserved foods, however including:-

Porridge (enough for 1 year)
Canned Corned beef
" sausages
" galantine
" steak and vegetable
" meat loaf
" bacon
" tongue
" steak and kidney pie
" soups (chicken, mushroom and oxtail)
" pate (four kinds)
" anchovies
" cod roes
" peaches
" pineapples
" prunes
" and bottled jams of all types
" marmalade
" butter
" asparagus
" milk
" peas
" spinach
" margarine
" hear of palm
" Cape Lobster
" Cape grape fruit
" Lyles golden syrup
" Xmas Puddings
Ships biscuits (enough for a year) - our substitute for bread
Canned beetroot
" guava jelly
" cajus
" and bottled honey
" mushroom
Bovril
Vermicelli
Macaroni
Cream crackers
Digestive Biscuits
Tea (enough for a year)
Coffee
Chick Peas
Rice
Lentils
Carr's ginger nuts (stacks of them)
Cocoa
Nescafe
Dried apricots
Salted almonds
Baking powder
Haricot vert
Raisins
Chocolate bars
Creme de marron (marron glace confiture) - note: chestnut cream
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.
Condiments -

Saffron
Curry powder
Mustard
Vanilla
Pepper
Pickles
Pickled onions
Pickled walnuts
Picalilli
Chutney
Cinnamon
Cloves
Nutmeg
Horseradish Sauce
Fine herbs
Salt
Gherkins
Salad oil
Capers
Olives
Mincemeat
Ground Ginger

Bottled orange juice
Whisky
Gin
Cachaca (Brazilian fire-water)
Champagne
Madeira wine
Congnac
Bitters

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".

We did our record run, from noon to noon, over the ground - 144 miles - and are now only 240 miles from Tristan da Cunha.

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.

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.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter 2 -O : Thursday 16th of February -- logged 117 miles

2010-12-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

Juan was off his course this morning and 'Penelope" yawning over the place.; The skipper made us laugh by saying "every day I admire Sir Francis Drake less". Poor old Juan.; He is an excellent fellow but always "knows best" and as a sample of the Spanish Navy he certainly doesn't reach a very high standard. What their discipline is like is surely "nobody's business" if his reactions can be taken as normal.

Today dawned, as yesterday, with a few light woolley clouds on the northern horizon.
The skipper taught me how to obtain a position line from the Air Navigation Reduction tables, a method perfected during the war.; Much quicker working that the Cosine-Haversine Formula 1 learned in 1922 which I have been using up to now to check our daily position.

My specific duties on board, apart from assistant navigator are: -

Watchkeeping
Lamp Trimmer (filling lamps daily with paraffin, trimming wicks and lighting up. the binnacle lamps lit usually with "Captain Watts special" - a storm proof match in a watertight plastic box - very practical.)
(a.m.&p.m.) Pumping Bilges
Making tea, at odd hours of the day
Drying the dishes after meals (Juan does the washing up in salt water.

Apart from these duties I lend a hand on deck when shortening sail, setting sails and often relieve the skipper at the when required. The watchkeeping follows a notice board posted in the chart room which now reads:-

S - Skipper
M - Mate
J - Juan
O - Oliver

The day being divided into three 4 hour watches and the night into four 3 hour watches.

Date	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
07-11		O	O	O	O	O	O
11-15	S	M	J	S	M	J	S
15-19	O	O	O	O	O	O	O
19-22	J	S	M	J	S	M	J
22-01	M	J	S	M	J	S	M
01-04	S	M	J	S	M	J	S
04-07	J	S	M	J	S	M	J

Trolling for fish . No Catch

Chapter 2 - N : Wednesday 15th of February -- logged 129 miles

2010-12-28T18:10:00.000-08:00

A completely cloudless day, the first on our voyage so far, with the sun rising like a golden ball on the horizon, ascending slowly, crossing the Meridian, then dipping and setting accordingly.

We are now sailing due east on latitude 34° south, the parallel of Cape Town,, with a slight northerly breeze, logging 5 kn. Ideal sailing conditions and very much appreciated by all.

All of much improved and enjoying his 7 to 11 and 15 to 1900 watches, which he has steadfastly maintained throughout all his stomach trials. the middle day watch 11 to 15:00 hours is taken by one of the other three of us, as well as they made watches. Watch keeping consists of steering the catch, by compass, trimming the sheets and guy ropes as necessary, watching for wind and weather changes, and calling the skipper. There is a deep toned bell attached to be Oregon pine mizzen mass above the compass; also a whistle for us to use in case the wind is too strong for those down below to hear the bell. The watch going rings 1 Bell to call his relief. A succession of rings repeatedly slowly means "all hands on deck at time to get dressed". A succession of rapid rings means "all hands on deck stop emergency stop come as you are, naked or otherwise", which usually indicates a rapidly approaching squall or the immediate necessity of shortening canvas for some other reason. So far on this voyage the emergency signal has not yet been sounded.

Today we are 500 miles west of Tristan da Cunha, and well behind schedule.

The fresh food is nearly all gone. We have now left list:
     Potatoes           - 2/3 weeks but they are going bad quicker than we can eat them.
     Onions           - 2/3 weeks wearing well
     Pumpkins         - 2
     Oranges           - 2
     Lemons            - 3/4 days
     Cucumbers       - 2
     Sweet potatoes - 5

Today we had "Heintz"canned steak and kidney pie, with fresh potatoes not at all bad.

Took out storm sails for overhaul and drying.
Looks like our albatrosses have left us evidently as we did not continue to feed them on pâté!

Trolling for fish. No Catch.

News: Pelelope may have been left to drown in Mozambique

2010-12-26T19:17:00.001-08:00

A letter I received today indicates that there is hope of finding Penelope's remains... I wish I could go and help in the search!

Tuesday 14th February -- logged 110 miles

2009-12-19T12:55:00.000-08:00

Today is "fat Tuesday" in Rio. Pity we had to miss the carnival this year. The temperature has dropped considerably and we are pleasantly cool at night and warm by day.

This morning, after breakfast, the wind dropped and left a short steep sea. "Penelope" rolled like a beer barrel, and Oliver, who has been better these last two days, was sick again and had to go below. We are now 17 days out, and his "match-boxed-sized"stomach has not yet got used to the more violent motions of the ship. He is remarkably fatalistic about it however and shows great courage, which is a mercy.

Today a fish swallowed the tiny spinner and Juan outboard line picked up a bit of shirt which had been thrown overboard "Penelope". the skipper says he has never seen such the fishless waters as the South Atlantic. We've seen nothing but whales dolphins and turtles tunny flying fish and the ubiquitous Portuguese man-of-war. So far absolutely no catch whatsoever.

Chapter Two - l) Sunday 12th February (1956) - Logged 106 Miles

2008-11-29T17:53:00.000-08:00

Got mainsail down at 00.30h as it was badly torn. Wind died about the same time and, as we are somewhat South of our course, the skipper decided, after a playful and innocent hint from me that he is "stingy" with the engine, to run due East, under power, until we get some favourable wind.

During the morning we ran into a herd of sperm whales.

about 25 in number, ranging from 15/25 tons, in the skipper's estimation. Evidently there had been no whales around them during their lifetime as, although our engine was going, we proceeded right through the middle of them, the skipper filming from the deck and masthead. Quite a convoy, with the bulls leading, heading North, probably Arctic-bound. We ran along with some of them only a few metres from our hull, rising and dipping, with their ugly snouts out of the water, blowing hard. When almost on top of the herd they would submerge, or "sound" which is the correct term, with their massive tails raised high in the air, like the rudder of a submarine. Soon after the whole gang would reappear and proceed on it's northerly course. We circled round and round for 45 minutes whilst the skipper ran off his film.

Launched Bottle No. 3 (blue stopper) in:-

Lat. 33◦ 10'S
Long. 28◦ 14'W

The messages in the bottles read as follows:

"Brass & CIA. LTDA.,
Rua Acre 47
Rio de Janeiro

Ketch "Penelope" - Bottle No.____
This bottle was thrown into the sea in: -
Lat. __________
Long._________

on ___________________, 1956.

from the 15 ton ketch owned by Frank McEwen, on a voyage from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town. Will whoever finds it please communicate time and place to Mr. Oliver Brass at the above address. Thanks.

As some of the bottles may take 20 years or so to turn up I reckoned it was better to give Oliver's name, not mine.

Oliver much better today.
Had curried mushrooms and rice for supper.
Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter Two - K) Saturday 11th February (1956) - Logged 88 Miles

2008-11-26T18:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's blow seems to have exhausted itself as happens frequently in these "variable" latitudes, and left us with an ugly swell.

Noon position:- Lat 31 - 40'S
Long. 28 - 00W

With 869 miles made good from Rea against 1250 Logged! We are not 14 days out and only half way to Tristan da Cunha! During the afternoon a stiff E breeze sprang up and we ran south, close-hauled, for several hours, logging 6 knots. Wonderful sailing.

We now have six albatrossess trailing us and we are becoming quite familiar with their individual characteristics. We want to keep them all the way to Cape Town and have tried all kinds of tit bits to attempt to please them but they have turned up their beaks to almost everything. After supper I tried them out with some J.Castaing & Fils (Coudures, Landes, France) pate de foie gras, which was a bit "off", and they just gobbled it up. Later the skipper threw them the best part of the contents of a new tin to make them further attached to us. Seems odd we have no bread but can feed albatrosses on the best French pate! The skipper filmed the birds. One of "our" albatrosses we call "Messerschmidt" on account of the ceculiar markings of his wings: -

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter Two - j) Friday 10th February (1956) - Logged 67 Miles

2008-11-26T17:57:00.000-08:00

Ate a packet of Carr's ginger nuts * on my morning watch. Overcast and squally.

Around noon a very strong wind came up from the east and we ran, under reduced canvas due South all the rest of the day. I thought Juan was going under when the bowsprit, on whose end he was perched, pulling down the Genoa jib dipped dangerously into the sea.

Very uncomfortable afternoon.

Oliver very sick.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter Two - i) Thursday 9th February (1956) - Logged 97 Miles

2008-11-26T17:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterdays blow seems to have blown itself out, although there are some squalls knocking around still.

The light breeze dropped to a dead calm with a heavy cross swell, ruinous to the vessel's gear. Ran the engine all afternoon and picked up a night breeze to carry us South.

Yesterday's duster cost us 140 miles northerly set. Too bad.

Oliver still sick.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter Two - h) Wednesday 8th February (1956) - Logged 86 Miles

2008-11-26T14:59:00.000-08:00

Overcast and squally. About midday we picked up a fresh breeze and went over on to the next stbd.'tack, running well with lee gunwales awash.

Oliver seems to have taken on a new lease of life and stood his afternoon watch, with Juan, singing songs in the rain.

Had a hell of a night watch (22.00h-01.00h) mostly in drenching rain. Glad of rubbers. I have discovered that the bridge of a ship - which I had hitherto considered one of the draughtiest of places on a stormy night - is like a Turkish bath compared with "Penelope's" open cock-pit. Brrrrrrrrh'.

Logged 1,ooo miles from Rio, at noon today.

Penelope's sail-plan must have been very perfectly conceived. Her balance is really remarkable. In strong winds, such as today, with jip and mizzen furled, running on mainsail and stay-sail only, her reduced rig gives her all the advantages of a cutter. With full sail, on the other hand, she has all the advantages of a ketch. She requires practically no steering, with the wind forward of the beam. No wonder the skipper is in love with her.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter Two - g) tuesday 7th February (1956) - Logged 73 Miles

2008-11-23T20:45:00.000-08:00

Alas, our fresh food is beginning to show obvious signs of depletion as we shall soon have to switch over to tinned stuff. The situation today is as follows: -

Bananas -all gone
Oranges -about 30 left
Lemons -about 50 left
Pineapples - 2 left
Cabbage -1 left
Carrots - 25% consumed, 50% left, 25% bad, dumped
Potatoes - dwindling but lasting well
Pumpkins - 2 left
Cucumbers - 5 left
Sweet Potatoes- 5 left
Onions - 70% left

We have enough tinned and preserved food to last nine months, but certain vitamins and proteins are lacking in this time of alimentation. It seems our main problem is food. The cooking position is as follows:

a) Oliver - still cannot go near the galley as it turns his stomach immediately.
b) Juan - Only too eager to take over the cooking but his highly seasoned Spanish food not properly appreciated. He has been "rationed", as cook, to one day a week.
c) -Me - Very little experience. I make early morning tea, an occasional macaroni dish and help preparing fruit salads, peeling spuds, cutting carrots, washing up, etc.
d) The Skipper - Hates cooking but actually does nearly all of it on this trip for his scratch crew.

Today we had lentil stew with sausages and bacon, and fruit salad for lunch and lentil broth and fruit salad for supper. Excellent stuff. We are using up fresh food first as much as possible before it goes rotten, and keeping the preserved food for later on.

Saw two albatrosses, which we christened Albert and Albertina. The skipper took some films of them landing on the water and taking off. Amazing the way they run along the surface of the water several yards, paddling hard with their webbed feet, before becoming finally airborne.

Today light winds, slight sea and heavy westerly swell.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter Two - f) Monday 6th February (1956) - Logged 73 miles

2008-11-22T13:03:00.000-08:00

Came on deck early and thought I saw the hull of the "Caronia" on the port horizon in the first light of dawn. I sprang into the rigging but further observations from the cross-trees indicated that my vision was only a cloud.

Saw a whale fight astern. Medium sized (estimated 1/2/1 ton) "killer whales" were jumping clear out of the water and making a terrific splash. The skipper says they are probably attaching a cachelot.

Late afternoon sighted to windward an object resembling a barrel, floating. On approach we discovered it to be a turtle, presumably asleep. Oliver brought "Penelope" into the wind and Juan and I launched the plastic dinghy, again with the idea of turtle soup, but our friend awoke, took one look at us and submerged rapidly. The skipper then got his camera and I rowed him around the vessel while we took some photos of her from various angles.

Colder at night. Oliver, no change.

Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter Two - e) Sunday 5th February, Logged 80 Miles

2008-11-22T11:56:00.000-08:00

Launched Bottle No. 2, with yellow stopper in:-

Lat. 29" 58'S
Long. 32" 15'W

Oliver still seedy and eating next to nothing. Approached him with the idea of landing him at Tristan da Cunha (map)but he was not enthusiastic which I quite understand. He said he would see the trip out, come what may.

Expected to see the "Caronia" (Caronias Log)but, in Spite of several mast-head observations during the day, no whiff of smoke was seen on the horizon. She evidently must have passed much to the East of us, on a great circle course from Rio to Tristan.No sights today as we were busy repairing the bilge pump. The skipper is most ingenious and seems to have a remedy for everything. Furthermore "Penelope" is well found, not only as regards to provisions, but sails, gear, tools etc., all of which seem to be duplicated, if not triplicated. Actually there were 1 1/2 tons of foodstuffs on board when "Penelope" sailed from Paris last year.

Saw a few turtles, and our first albatross. Crossed the 30th parallel.
Trolling for fish. No catch.

Chapter Two - D - Saturday 4th February 1956

2008-06-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

A light SE breeze sprung up at about 03.00h and we set sail and proceeded on an almost Southerly course.

The weather formation seems to be changing somewhat and we are obviously getting into a "different part of the country", maritimely speaking.

The skipper, who seemed to scent whales in the vicinity, climbed the mast head at about 15.00h and, after about half an hour up there, sang out. "There she blows. Whale on the starboard bow". Soon a whole family of wales came into view, surfacing and blowing to beat the band. They passed ahead of us, headed by the bull, about 8 tor 10 of them. Quite an astonishing sight.

Later we saw a "fulmar" bird, which followed us some distance, and after night fall come the dolphins, frisking and gambolling under the cutwater, in their inimitable style. Truly we are now in new and more fertile "territory".

Juan has some curious theories, one of which being that man will eventually be displaced on earth by the rat. He says that scientists have discovered that of all the animals, including man, the rat has the largest brain in comparison to the size of its body and that it is an extremely intelligent animal. I suggested we started grafting ants with rats so as to be sure of something a little more industrious and less destructive to replace us eventually here on earth. He laughed and said "Why not graft Germans with pineapples to get something efficient and tasty at the same time?"

Chapter Two - C - Friday 3rd, February, 1956

2007-11-17T21:53:00.000-08:00

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.

Chapter Two - B - Thursday 2nd February - Logged 90 miles

2007-11-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

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.

Chapter Two - a - Wednesday, 1st February 1956

2007-09-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

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.

Chapter One - h) - Sunday 31th January, 1956

2007-09-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

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.

Chapter One - g) - Monday 30th January, 1956

2007-07-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Chapter One - f) - Sunday 29th January, 1956

2007-07-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Chapter One - e)

2007-07-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

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.

Chapter One - d)

2007-06-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

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.

Chapter One - c)

2007-06-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Chapter One - b)

2007-06-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

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 - Over all -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)

2007-06-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

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.

Chapter One

2007-06-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

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 Rhodecian 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.