Modern Era Voyaging

Unpublished Work – “The Dream and the Reality” – Single Handed Transatlantic Yacht Race 1968 – Brian Cooke.

A unique item, the typescript account of Brian Cooke relating to his participation in the 1968 Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race (STAR) east to west from Plymouth to Newport Rhode Island.

182 pages of foolscap, corrected in manuscript. Having read through it all … it is an exceptional account ready for the press … we are not sure why he did not follow through with the publication.

Cooke was very much an amateur before this event and he states clearly in his Preface that the book has been written “to indicate the way in which the dream of crossing the Ocean became a reality to me … what is involved for the ordinary person … to know first hand that it is quite a feasible proposition and a very worthwhile challenge …”.

We like the way the book proper starts … “It was 1949, when I was walking down St James’s Street, London one lunchtime. I looked in a Bookshop window. One of the books on display was by Allcard describing the Atlantic voyage he had made. It was the dust cover that took my eye. On it was a photograph of Allcard, at sea, sailing his yacht single-handed, looking up at his sails, which conveyed to me a most vivid picture of satisfaction and achievement”

The first sixty eight pages are taken up with establishing and preparing for the dream. First the yacht that had been commissioned to be built by an acquaintance with the wherewithal connected to his work at the Westminster Bank. The first trials, the personal training, the qualifying voyages etc all very interesting. At page sixty nine we have the race start proper. What follows is a very detailed account of the events of the race, nothing tedious in our view. Cooke came in sixth, out of 48, many had to turn back. Those ahead were either trimarans or larger boats, on any handicap system he may have won.

The appendices are good for perspective and emphasise his comments in the Preface that preparation is key. We have the “sailing instructions” from the Royal Western, Plymouth. The list of yachts by nation, rig, length, hull, and rating where available. Daily records of sailing achievements and sail changes. Provisions of all sorts … we are amused to see Mars Bars, Steak and kidney puddings, HP sauce etc.

Yachting treasure unpublished major single-handed yacht race

$380.00

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Shores of Macquarie Island – Isobel Bennett – 1971

A first edition of this interesting book on Antarctic Macquarie Island and its nature.

Published by Rigby, Adelaide in 1971. Octavo, 69 pages plus useful bibliography and index. Nicely illustrated from photographs taken by the author. Very good. Another copy we like this book.

Isobel Bennett was born in Brisbane and took an interest in Marine Biology at an early age. In her era one of the first females to be accepted into the Australian Antarctic program and onto Macquarie Island.

A good “history of the island” is followed by a very readable sections on the role of the scientists, and the inhabitants and visitors to the island.

A very good introduction and background to this lonely outpost.

$30.00

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Australian Shipwrecks – Volume 2 (1851-1871) – Jack Loney

A first edition published by Reed, Sydney in 1980. Small quarto, 239 pages all in very good condition with a very good to better dust jacket. A few illustrations from period engravings and early photographs.

Jack Loney’s excellent work on shipwrecks representing part of the Australian Shipwrecks series started by Bateson.

An essential edition for those interested in wrecks. Follows the usual format with notes on sources followed by a chronology and notes on ships and their wrecking. Index of ships at the end.

Essential Australian Wreck Book

$30.00

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Ocean Passages For The World – 1973

A fine copy of the third edition prepared by Commander H.L. Jenkins of the Royal Navy and published by The Hydrographic Department, Taunton, England. A Preface by Rear Admiral Hall.

This essential reference was first published in 1895, then 1923, 1950 and then this edition 1973. Revised and modernised each time.

Slipcase with folio volume plus wallet containing the numerous large folding charts. Folio volume bound in blue cloth covered boards, gilt titles 258 pages with 25 charts and diagrams some coloured and folding. The work is divided into two principal sections … Part I – Power Vessel Routes; Part II – Sailing Vessel Routes. Also, the 1977 Supplement of 11 pages, with additions, corrections and other changes. Very good if not fine condition.

The wallet contains seven large (a metre or so wide) charts and a viz .. World Climatic Charts (January and July); World Main Ocean Routes for Power Vessels; World Sailing Ships Routes; Tracks Followed by Sailing and Auxiliary Powered Vessels and World Surface Currents .. and D6083 Loan Line Rules etc. Also a ready reckoner … Logarithmic speed, time and distance scale.

$80.00

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Wreck and Relics – Victorian Coastline – Geoff Nayler

Self published, no date, by diver wreck enthusiast Geoff Nayler. Octavo, soft cover, 64 pages, heavily illustrated throughout.

Nayler has put together here, with the assistance of a number of similarly minded friends, a good account of thirty better known wrecks along the central Victorian coast. Wreck finds abound from crockery and cutlery to anchors, wheels, and beautiful bells … the cannon raised by the author our favourite.

Previous obviously knowledgeable owner has made one or tow pencil “correction’ we have left them their for expert review.

Postage likely to be reduced in Australia on this item ..we will do that on billing so ignore the default …

Good Victorian wreck reference by Nayler …

$20.00

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The British Steel Challenge Round the World Yacht Race 1992/3 – “Pride of Teesside”

Promotional folder with original full-size photographs.

The 1992/93 round the world challenge involved ten identical vessels, apart from distinguishing colours and trimmings, all built at the Devonport Dockyards in Plymouth.

The Pride of Teesside was skippered by In MacGillivray coming a creditable fifth in 155 days. Nuclear Electric skippered by John Chittenden finished four days earlier so a tight finish all things considered. The race was eventful taking a route west round the Horn several boats suffered serious rigging screw failures … British Steel II, a contender after leg I to the Horn was de-masted and had to limp to Hobart under Jury rig.

The portfolio contains … a fact File; Route Map; seven extra large colour photographs (30cm by 21cm); Crew Profiles; Yacht Specifications etc.

A unique item of sailing memorabilia

$40.00

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Unpublished Work – “The Dream and the Reality” – Single Handed Transatlantic Yacht Race 1968 – Brian Cooke.

Shores of Macquarie Island – Isobel Bennett – 1971

Australian Shipwrecks – Volume 2 (1851-1871) – Jack Loney

Ocean Passages For The World – 1973

Wreck and Relics – Victorian Coastline – Geoff Nayler

The British Steel Challenge Round the World Yacht Race 1992/3 – “Pride of Teesside”

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