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

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.