the following title might interest some

[alan2]

I just finished reading Alone Through The Roaring Forties by Vito Dumas. The edition I read is a translation from the original Spanish into English.

In 1942, Dumas took off, from Buenos Aries, to single handed, sail around the world, through what was described as the old clipper ship route, "the roaring 40's", that's 40 degrees south lat. He made it too. His vessel was described as a 32 foot ketch, Marconi rigged, sail only. Interesting tale, including discriptions of and comments on the three landfalls he made. Capetown South Africa, Wellington, New Zealand and Valpariso, Chilie.

Also, the following. Sea Change by Peter Nichols. Nichols was returning to the U.S. from Europe alone in a 27 foot wooden boat. He navigated the old fashioned way, sextant and tables. He had a radio to get time checks, otherwise nothing else, no "electronics". His boat sank from under him, he was rescued by a Lykes Brothers vessel, The Almera Lykes, which responsed to his MAYDAY call. He radioed his estimated position and the steamer headed for that position. With the most basic of equipment, his estimated position, based on dead reckoning and sextant shots, he was told by his rescuers, was dead on. Seems as 2 + 2 are still 4, which is nice to recall.

A late friend of mine, who sailed for about 30 years, having graduated from Kingspoint, The Merchant Marine Academy, never left without his old English sextant. His usual comment on being kidded by other officers was, he said, "my sextant doesn't need electricity".

Readers might find either or both of the above titles interesting.

[Soft Air]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing