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Durban to Cape Town
Durban to Cape Town
Prior to her circumnavigation, the great day of re-launching for Sandefjord, Durban Harbour, South Africa, 15 Nov 1964
Patrick Cullen (25) the man who found "Sandefjord", virtually abandoned in Durban - and set the wheels in motion to lift her out of the water for a major refit.
The floating crane takes the weight - Patrick, with sledgehammer, knocks the shores out! The guy with his back to the camera, jumping in time, is Wally Stright. We'll see more of him later! Note the bottle of champagne at the ready!
"God Bless this Ship and all who sail in her!" While Patrick and their young son Sean watch, Ruth, Patrick's wife blesses the re-launch.
Durban's floating crane (In 1964 still steam operated!) hoists Sandefjord aloft before placing her gently back in her natural element.
Sailing Day Friday 19th February 1965 - All visitor's ashore!
Fare thee well "Sandefjord" and crew!
Bon Voyage! Family and friends (lots of them!) wave "Sandefjord" farewell. 19 Feb 1965
Cut engine! Sail set. We're off!
Heading to the harbour entrance. L to R Wally, Tim, Fanie, Patrick (right aft, at the wheel) - Barry.
Off, down the South African coast to Cape Town.
"All hands on deck!" A common call as we moved steadily down the South African coast, meeting a series of cold fronts with opposing south-westerly gales.
We knew RS 28 was built to go to sea in storms and now, we were thrilled to share this competence and to observe her demonstrating her ability in heavy weather. And proud to have the opportunity of getting this fine 52 years young Norwegian redningskote back to sea again!
"Yes!" she sailed well. We could leave her main up in a gale. Heavy breaking seas all round and her decks were dry. She could beat to windward in a gale, making good ground. We were put through our paces, learning to handle "Sandefjord".
Might have been over cautious the first few days out! But we had to be. This is a dangerous coast.
Can safely state that, within a week, we were handling "Sandefjord" as well as she, the ship, could wish for. Not quite up to the standard of the original lifeboat crews perhaps - but getting there!
Patrick, my brother, was ALWAYS the first one out along the bowsprit (or up the mainmast), most often in heavy weather. A born sailor.....he would have made a fine windjammer captain!
"Slack Away!"
"Heave away me lads!" No winches, just arms, as it was in 1914. We are now hove to with stays' and mizzen off Port St. Johns on the "Wild Coast"..
We are between Cape St. Francis and Cape Agulhas, far offshore. The Cape Albatros.
The mountains of the Cape are sighted. The advancing swells from the Roaring Forties roll easily beneath the ship.
"Sandefjord" makes a fine approach to Cape Town. Many well-wishers were waiting on the quayside including Pat Penso, daughter of Tilly Penso, owner, 1939/60. She jumped aboard, ran to the mainmast and gave Sande a huge hug! You can view Pat's logbooks on the RS 28 Wall.
Cape Town to the West Indies next.
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