[merlin2375]

Was on TV last night as sort of a documentary (PBS, can't remember the station?)

Riveting story:
Donald Crowhurst - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

His "righting" system for trimaran is interesting (see the article above):

To improve the safety of the boat, Crowhurst had planned to add an inflatable buoyancy bag on the top of the mast to prevent capsizing; the bag would be activated by water sensors on the hull designed to detect an impending capsize. This innovation would hold the boat horizontal, and a clever arrangement of pumps would allow him to flood the uppermost outer hull, which would (in conjunction with wave action) pull the boat upright. His scheme was to prove these devices by sailing round the world with them, then go into business manufacturing the system.

 

[imagine2frolic]

He is the one who got the OSTAR started. I have never seen the documentry, but the book is a fascinating read. Some just weren't meant to be alone in failure......i2f

 

[AE28]

I think you may be talking about the documentary movie DEEP WATER, which I've seen. The movie led me to read about the events, as I couldn't believe the stupidity involved in this fiasco.

The story left me disliking Crowhurst, as he was a cheat, a thief and a fraud. His totally unprepared attempt to compete in the circumnavigation put the lives of others in peril and may have contributed to the suicide of one of his competitors in the race.

Paul

 

[imagine2frolic]

& we all know Bernard really won that race. Robin Knox was gifted the win.....i2f

 

[JomsViking]

Crowhurst sailed Teignmouth Electron a Piver designed Tri.
He was probably mentally ill already before setting off, so it is a bit hard to judge him like that.
On the Moitessier comment. Yes, there was a good chance that he would have won BUT he chose to stop racing and sail to Tahiti, so Robin Knox-Johnston did win, and should be credited for that IMHO.

 

[imagine2frolic]

He did get credit for it. I just stated it was gifted to him by Bernard. I do not think that fact can be denied. He went onto sail for the sake of sailing, and covered more sea miles than Robin Knox non stop......i2f

 

[JomsViking]

I2F, then we agree. Bernard was an amazing sailor!

He did get credit for it. I just stated it was gifted to him by Bernard. I do not think that fact can be denied. He went onto sail for the sake of sailing, and covered more sea miles than Robin Knox non stop......i2f

 

[fullkeel7]

I couldn't believe the stupidity involved in this fiasco.

The story left me disliking Crowhurst, as he was a cheat, a thief and a fraud. His totally unprepared attempt to compete in the circumnavigation put the lives of others in peril and may have contributed to the suicide of one of his competitors in the race.

Paul

It is a rather strange episode and the boat's fate ended strangely as well.
Here's a couple of pics and some other tidbits of info on the 35 yo rotting hulk on Cayman Brac...

Brac's land wreck makes it to TV fame

 

[Diva27]

The book I believe is The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst. I read it years ago. It's a fascinating study of a man getting in over his head, unable to abandon the race before it even starts, and then slowing going mad. At first he fakes his reports, sailing in circles in the Atlantic, but then his log entries become progressively more delusional rather than simply deceptive as he moves toward some state of godliness. The authors thought he jumped overboard clutching some nav devices, maybe a sextant and/or chronometer. Others might remember better. I seem to recall that Chichester thought something didn't smell right. One of the best sea stories ever written.

 

[imagine2frolic]

Viking,

We never disagreed. IMHO Bernard was a far greater writer than sailor. His passion for the sea was like a love novel in the way he expressed his feelings about his surroundings.

He did learn to become quite the sailor, but in the beginning he did have his misfortunes. Just as the misfortune of Joshua lost in Cabo in a late hurricane......i2f

 

[JomsViking]

IIRC In the Cabo incident he anchored almost on the shore, and when the breakers started....... Sad, but we all make mistakes. Then again many boats were washed ashore during that ordeal?
He also wrecked several other boats, so yes. I wish my French were good enough to read his stuff in his own language, rather than translated, but it isn't
I still really like Robin Knox-Johnston, that's why I commented before. He has this dogged determination that I like.

 

[tommays]

Your losing me here as Donald Crowhurst was the one who cheated and dies ?

 

[norsearayder]

ah yyes bernard won the race and showed us all the true meaning of cruising singlehanded

 

[imagine2frolic]

Your losing me here as Donald Crowhurst was the one who cheated and dies ?

He tried to cheat, and is believed to have committed suicide rather than face the scrutiny of the officials. ......i2f

 

[JomsViking]

The Longest Race, by Hal Roth

About the race is also worth reading...

I2F, talking about writers, I actually also like Hal Roth's books..

 

[imagine2frolic]

Hal makes you feel like a family member. I like him too. I forget the title, but when he entered a single-hand around the world sponsored by Sebago. That was a good read too.......i2f

 

[adru]

The documentary Deep Water about Donald Crowhurst's misadventure was on PBS last night. A sad but facinating tale of adventure, deception, and madness.

 

[TQA]

Bernard was one of my heroes. He was one of the reasons I bought a steel boat and one of the highlights of the transatlantic was seeing Joshua in Coruna being campaigned by a group of young French sailors.

But he did wreck almost every boat he owned!

 

[SVlagniappe]

Thanks so much for posting a link to the youtube video. I've read the story, but I really enjoyed the video!
Enjoyed might not be the right word, but I'm glad that I spent the evening watching it...

 

[merlin2375]

Thanks adru! Great stuff!