I'm not certain if information about this book has already been posted to the list, but just in case it hasn't ... Just finished reading David W. Shaw's "Daring the Sea." The book chronicles the first crossing of the Atlantic by rowboat in 1896. The two-man crew [Norwegian immigrants] -- George Harbo and Frank Samuelson - made the 55-day, 3,000-mile crossing from New York to England's Scilly Islands in an 18-foot custom-built surf boat. Well written and to the point, with assurances by the author in his preface that he "stuck purely to the facts and took no literary license." Information was gleaned primarily from a logbook written by Harbo during the crossing and an expanded account Harbo dictated prior to his death. From near collisions and monstrous gales to a capsize in waves of "almost unreal proportion" generated by 60-70 knot winds, this book chronicles an amazing human accomplishment. Here's a short except detailing their state 30-days out just prior to capsizing: "By daybreak on July 7, more than 30 breakers had completely inundated the Fox [name of their boat]. The men were battered and bruised, hungry, and cold down to the marrow. Their tongues swelled up, and their lips split. The work at the oars had partially worn through the calluses on their palms. The tips of their noses were devoid of skin and extremely painful to the touch. As they gathered their wits in the gloom of dawn, the sight of the waves inspired a profound silence between them. The ocean looked more broken and angry than either man could recall during their tenure at sea." A great read indeed! Amazon's listing: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0786014067/ref=sc_b_1/103-0270423-975 6646 Happy new year to all!!! Jim Tynan Pike Road AL *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
One of my favorite sea shanties, done by a gang from Mystic Museum in Conneticut, is about Harbo and Samuelson and their quest for the prize offered to the first people to cross under their own power. THAT"s a wonderful story too, so I"m definately getting the book! (now to find time to read it....) Tori - full time student, single mom of 3, and 2 incomes... honest, I do kayak occasionally too. LOL :)<br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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