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.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Chapter Two - e) Sunday 5th February, Logged 80 Miles
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.Long. 32" 15'W
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.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Chapter Two - D - Saturday 4th February 1956
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?"
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?"
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Chapter Two - C - Friday 3rd, February, 1956
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.
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
A most perfect day at sea. Moderate NEly winds to push us along our SEly course at 5/6 knots, a slight china-blue sea and a few white woolly clouds draped along the horizon.
Everyone sunning themselves, as we may not have many more days like this. The skipper climbed the rigging at lunch time and filmed the gastronomical activities and other aspects of shipboard life, for his French television principals.
Oliver has his first shower in the net.
The skipper's "C'est bon" in his quarterdeck voice, when some good food is produced or when something exceptionally pleasant occurs, is becoming infectious. We all say it imitating him. Not too good for shipboard discipline!
Further efforts to locate the "short" unsuccessful.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
Everyone sunning themselves, as we may not have many more days like this. The skipper climbed the rigging at lunch time and filmed the gastronomical activities and other aspects of shipboard life, for his French television principals.
Oliver has his first shower in the net.
The skipper's "C'est bon" in his quarterdeck voice, when some good food is produced or when something exceptionally pleasant occurs, is becoming infectious. We all say it imitating him. Not too good for shipboard discipline!
Further efforts to locate the "short" unsuccessful.
Trolling for fish. No catch.
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