Sir Robin Knox Johnston A Force of Nature (Utube)

[Owly055]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVRbRBReYiY

     This is a timely Utube video from a TV special on Sir Robin Knox Johnson's famous voyage.    He was the first man to complete a round the world non stop sailing voyage, as victor of the 1968 (first) Sunday Times Golden Globe race in Suhaili.    One dramatic incident I had not heard of of before was when he climbed the rigging as a giant wave swept the boat...  because there was no time to get below, and looked down as the boat disappeared entirely except for the masts.... saved from broaching only by the warps he was trailing.  It's an excellent and enjoyable piece.    Watch it and think about those men and woman attempting to recreate that famous race.... down to 5 from about 20 now I think, a Susie Goodall was pitchpoled a few days ago with the result of here boat being a total loss, and just rescued the other day by a freighter.  Round the world racing in the 40's and 50's is truly the sport of the giants among us even today.  In 1968 they didn't have sat phones and EPIRBs .    Robin Knox Johnson was even given up for  loss as a result of his radio having failed, then suddenly resurrected like Huck Fin and Tom Sawyer returned for their own funeral!!   At the bottom is a screen shot of a painting of the dramatic incident where Sir Robin had to climb the mast.
       
                                                                                             H.W.





Specification[2][3]    1963
LOA    13.41 m (44.0 ft)
LWL    8.53 m (28.0 ft)
Beam    3.37 m (11.1 ft)
Draught    1.67 m (5.5 ft)
Thames Tonnage    14
Net Tonnage    6.29 Tons
Keelson    1' 2" x 10" - 22ft in Length
Planking    1 ¼" Indian Teak