Hi Peter,
I was reading about x-boats when I found your blog. Fascinating.
Then I found a reference to Adria, and was surprised.
You may be interested to know that until about a year ago, Adria (a 46' - not 42' - steel sloop by Alan Buchanan) was still owned by Antony Harry of Adelaide. [PF: we're both wrong; she's 49']. Update: Adria is still owned by Ant Harry: she's in this year's Syd-Hobart! Further Update: no she's not. She's owned by Dan Lightowler and is on the hard in Adelaide, not doing the Syd-Hobart...
I did 3 or 4 Syd Hobarts on Adria from 1976 to about 1984, but not all of the transport legs home. I don't specifically recall Peter Forsythe, but the name rings a bell nevertheless.
SW Cape can be punishing. I remember once spending a couple of days in 'Mouldy Hole' just back from South Cape in a huge westerly, then venturing out but not being able to get past Maatsuyker Island, making no headway at all.
Sometimes it's quicker to turn around and go east about Tasmania.
You've got a great boat there.
Cheers, TimSo I dragged out the photo album (remember them??), and I'm posting a few from that trip.
This was my first offshore, my first time on a yacht, in fact. It came about like this:
it was mid 1982 and we were just back from a Foreign Affairs posting to China. We were having dinner with old mates from school and office George and Sabrina Snow, who were then living in Forrest, Canberra.
I mentioned I'd like to have a go at yachting, and that got George thinking about getting back into it as well -- by then he'd not done any for a while. So he lined up himself to crew on the Sydney-Hobart race with a mate of his, Antony ("Ant") Harry, on Adria Australis a 49' Alan Buchanan steel sloop built in 1966. And he lined me up to do the delivery, for which I flew down to Hobart, met Ant, and headed off to Adelaide with him, his partner Jan and a couple of other newbies, Lachlan and Sue, a young couple in their twenties who had also done no sailing. That would be a good intro to offshore for me, said George. Hah!
George, of course, then went on to build a couple of Brindabellas, the second of which had a storied career, winning Sydney-Hobart Line Honours, and holder of multiple offshore race records. She is still described as "Australia's best-known maxi".
As for our '83 trip, the drama was off the SW Cape of Tasmania, in a huge double depression, with winds over 70kts (the analogue B&G wind instrument was stuck hard on the max of 70), massive waves which had rolled in from South Africa. We got into trouble heading in on a lee shore, to Port Davey, which we could hardly see in the spume, and as I recall the Pilot says "many uncharted rocks"... We saw breakers ahead, came about and were rolled and knocked down by one wave and fell off another, with extensive damage and then the motor conked out. We finally made it to Strahan Harbour in the NW, to a scene of greenies demonstrating against the damming of the Franklin River. It was a slow news day, so the Sun reporter interviewed Ant, leading to the article below, which was clipped by my mother -- this being the first news that she'd had of our trip...
I'll let the piccies tell the story...[note how yellow they are; that's 28 years in the album...]:
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| Adria Australis in Hobart |
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| I have this marked in the photo album: "SW Cape, 70 knots" |
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| News of the knockdown. It was a slow news day in Strahan... Click to enlarge |
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| Adria, heading up the west coast of Tassie. Lachlan, Mark, Jan |
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| Being towed into Macquarie Harbour. The entry is very narrow We had had no engine since the knockdown at the Cape |
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| Ah yes, but the greenies won in the end. The river was not dammed and is now the Franklin-Gordon Wild River National Park. Good on 'em! |
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| The greenies in Strahan. I wonder what these guys are doing now, 28 years later Occupy Strahan?.. |
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| Peter in Macquarie Harbour, NW Tasmania. Oh dear.... for that body and that age... |
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| We met the "Prince" in Strahan. From The Age, 15 Jan 1983. I see that he's still going strong and claiming ever more "Titles" |
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| The Prince's boat in Strahan, where we had a few beers and some friendly, strange, eccentric yarns with him. |
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| Lachlan on Adria, on the Gordon River, Strahan |
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| Jan Gatenby and Ant Harry. Tim says he's owned Adria until "about a year ago". She's going on 50. |
Great memories! How well I remember that often cold and wet foredeck (piston hanks on the headsails in those days), and the 'moments of truth' as the rubber bands on the spinnakers cracked open. Unfortunately (heh) I missed the Great Knockdown, having flown back to Adelaide. Ant's still going strong, and Adria's undergoing an extensive refit under new ownership. Why 'Adria Australis' appears in this year's Sydney to Hobart website I don't know. She's definitely on the hard in Adelaide. As a matter of interest, Josko Grubic, Adria's builder and first owner, is still around too. Josko asked British designer Alan Buchanan for a boat that 'could win the Hobart race.' Buchanan requested the last 15 years' weather reports for the race, and produced a big windward slogger. Sadly... Anyway, after three starts in Adria, Josko tried again with 57' Anaconda, another Buchanan, and finally Anaconda II, Buchanan's largest design I believe, at 83' LOA. Josko never did win a Sydney Hobart, and neither did Adria in her 7 or so starts, although, speaking for Adria's crew, I've never heard a word of regret about the attempts.
ReplyDeleteInteresting stories!
ReplyDeleteJing
(in SQ)
Hi Tim, and thanks for this amazing bit of news!
ReplyDeleteYou’ve led me to check out the photo album and post the story in fuller form. I’ve quoted you (just as “Tim”), hope you don’t mind. (if you don’t mind, I’d like to put your full name, but no worries if not).
BTW: I checked Adria’s size and we’re both wrong: she’s 49’!
In the “Sun” article, Ant is quoted as saying that we were all wearing harnesses. We weren’t. ... Looking back on it — I’ve never forgotten every second of that knockdown — I realise that we were lucky to survive. Had we hit one of those “uncharted black rocks”, which seemed to be just ahead of us before we came about — we would’ve been history, as the shore was still miles away and pounded by the monster waves of the storm. And was right to describe them as the size of houses.
Anyway, nothing like it since for me — and George, btw says he’s never had similar experience on Brindabella or the many other yachts he’s been on. Here in Asia it’s pretty benign. Either it’s Typhoon, or it’s kind winds. That’s what we expect for next week’s King’s Cup.
If you have time and inclination, hope you might follow along our progress in the Cup.
Cheers and thanks again.
Peter Forsythe
Discovery Bay
Hong Kong
BTW: if you’re ever in Hong Kong, let’s go out for a sail on Xena! She’ll be back here in mid March, after the Boracay Regatta.
PS: if you see Ant anytime, pass on my regards, and pass on the Blog link....
Hi Peter
ReplyDeleteNow I know why I couldn't recall sailing with you. You tend not to forget people you've stood watch after watch with in the dead of night. While you were risking your life on Adria's famous 'fall off a wave' cruise home, I was way above in the comfort of Ansett economy.
You may be aware that after the minor incident, the EPIRB was sloshing around on the cabin sole, transmitting away. The Adelaide Advertiser reported Adria as 'missing off Tasmania'. I nearly choked on my cornflakes, and rang the waterfront pub in Strahan, thinking someone there might have heard some news.
'Mr Harry from Adria?' said the barmaid. 'He's right here...' The EPIRB was apparently turned off at some stage.
Harnesses, eh? Harry the lawyer would say that. I think I wore a harness for about 5 minutes once on that boat, at the start of a Sydney Hobart. The harnesses usually lived stuffed into nets under the ceiling in the forepeak, ready for any emergency. 'One hand for yourself and one for the boat...' was the rule.
Great days.
Harry is getting on - he'd be about 73 I'd say but he can still raise a glass or two. I have lunch with him about once a month, and the talk is often of Adria. I'm the custodian of Alan Buchanan's beautifully drawn plans for the boat, and I'm helping the new owner get her back into shape. The new owner, one Dan Lightowler, is a metallurgist by trade, and has already replaced the 'fairly battered' (his words) plating and ribs near the bow. I should tell him the story.
I'll take you up on your offer if I'm ever in HK. At the least I'll buy you a drink for helping get the auld tub home!
I'm happy for you to quote me in full, by the way.
I've just spoken to Ant - he was delighted to hear that Adria's exploits are still discussed. He remembers you and the the crew well, and was pleased to hear that the experience didn't put you off yachting. I've suggested he get a laptop, but I think he';s happy enough with his memories.
Cheers
Tim Simpson
PS - Quote me in part or full in any way you like.
Hi Peter
ReplyDeleteThat's a very tempting offer re the Borocay Regatta. I definitely can't do it in '2'12' but if you and Xena are still afloat in '2'13' I'd be delighted to accept! It looks like a good race.
Safety rules and gear have come a long way in Australia since the he-man 80's (helped along by the '98 Hobart race - the 1979 Fastnet race didn't seem to bother us). So as long as you point out that times have changed I don't mind being quoted in connection with safety gear.
Ant in his prime was fond of self-help adages: On land - 'Drive carefully - the roads are greasy and full of fools!' On going early to bed: 'What! The eve is yet a pup!'
He would probably approve of Blondie Hasler's remark about sailing with no radio - 'It would be more seemly to drown like a gentleman.'
That point of view came up recently with a Cornishman who sailed his 27' Buchanan around the world.
"Cornish based sailor Paddy Macklin has completed his 17-month round-the-world journey and arrived in Falmouth.
The 52-year-old yachtsman, who was feared missing in bad weather during the trip, was escorted in by friend Steve Ransley.
Mr Macklin left in December 2009 to sail around the world solo with nothing more than a child's school atlas.
At the time he said he wanted to "recapture the spirit of true amateur sailing".
Mr Ransley said his determined friend was an "inspiration to us all".
"He didn't want anybody to call help for him, he wanted to do it in the true tradition of going to sea and being prepared to drown like a gentleman."
The former painter and decorator, who paid for the expedition himself, had enough food and supplies for 600 days but did not carry an emergency position-indicating radio beacon during the journey.
Enough...
Thanks again for the offer. As I said, I'd jump at the chance any time after next year's race.
There's a Jing Lee in Adelaide, incidentally. A lovely lady, and a member of our local Legislative Council.
You're welcome to come out for a sail if you're ever in these parts, as I mentioned. Adria's new owner Dan Lightower's talking about getting a few of the many dozens (hundreds?) of people who've sailed on the boat together for a cruise, or even a race. I'm all for that.
Otherwise, I'll take you for a spin in my latest (my third) Lightweight Sharpie. Limited accommodation below, but you've got to love those dinghies!
Again, thanks for the enticing offer. I'll stay in touch via Xena's blog. You must miss being aboard.
Later...
I've just read today's entry in Xena's blog, and relayed it (by phone) to Ant. He was chuffed, to say the least.
A strange thing happened to Ant on that trip. I don't know if you were aboard, but Ant too Adria up the Franklin, and was converted (as far as it was possible with him) to being a green.
'They can't dam that river!' he would tell us, and never again did he let us toss rubbish overboard, or smash beer bottles with a winch handle over the side.
I've posted a response on Xena's blog.
Cheers,
Tim
From Mark Jones, with permission:
ReplyDeleteHi Peter,
As another year started I got to thinking about what I was doing 30 years ago. Sue, my partner at the time, and I were on board Adria Australis with Lachlan, Ant, Jan and you from Hobart to Strahan. I Googled a bit and found an ad from when Adria was for sale and read your “Big Waves Tip Yacht” blog – in fact I think that’s me in one of the photos. The whole trip is still pretty clear in my memory. If you fancy a bit of a catch up it might be fun.
Xena looks pretty impressive. There must be a story or two there!
All the best,
Mark
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteWow, what a blast from the past!
When you say you're in one of the pictures, is it this one attached, below? Is that you, peeping over the coach-roof? And that's Sue there too, on the port rail.
Sure would be good to catch up, so if you're ever in these parts, please do get in touch and we can go out for a sail.
BTW: you probably saw Xena on the Blog. On the Xena site (as opposed to the Blog), there's a lovely racing picture on the Home page, which is hi-res and enlarges well. Here. Also a piccie of me and my wife Jing on the home page, scroll down a bit.
BTW II: did you see the comments under "big waves tip yacht"? There's comments from another guy, Tim Simpson from Adelaide, who had sailed regularly on Adria, and has some interesting comments, including from Ant Harry. Seems that trip had a big influence on his later life... and was tickled that I'd posted about it. He's getting on now, in his 70s. (well, I guess we're all getting on....)
Had a look at your Rural Regeneration Unit site [ www.ruralregeneration.org.uk ], interesting stuff you're involved in, well done! Saw photo of you there, lookin' good!
I'm currently building a wooden boat in my backyard, blog here.[http://mywoodboat.blogspot.hk/]
Cheers
Peter
From Mark,
ReplyDeleteHi Peter,
Please do post my comments on the blog. In the picture I thought it was me on the helm, Sue looking over the coach-roof and Jan on the port rail. I imagine we are all smiling at you balanced on the bow sprit with both hands on your camera! One of my memories of that trip was before the knock-down when we rounded the SW Cape. Sailing close to the wind on a lee shore a wave came over the foredeck and ripped out the headsail. I saw it happen as I was leaning out of the cockpit about to be seasick. Anthony shouted for me and Lachlan to change the sail, which was a pretty bumpy and wet job. We were spurred on by Anthony who, discovering that the engine wouldn’t start, informed us we were sailing backwards towards the rocks! After that I didn’t feel sick for the rest of the trip. Something to do with adrenaline I guess!
For a few years I owned “Fair Go” a 22’ MacWester. See attached. My wife and daughters do not have the same enthusiasm as me for a life on the ocean waves so most of my sailing was solo. Sold her (the boat!) in 2011 and we now have a campervan! I still manage to get on the water with my sea kayak and windsurfer, though I have been accused of having a mid-life crisis. One or two other things in the pipeline, fingers crossed.
Glad to hear our exploits in the Southern Ocean (?) didn’t put you off. Xena is certainly a beautiful craft. It would be hard to find 3 more different sailing boats than Adria, Fair Go and Xena.
Do you have any more photos of our trip on Adria?
Take care,
Mark
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