Training Ship Libertad Detained in Ghana

[Davidglen77]

More unfortunate news for Argentina, doesn't look they are going to cut us a break and will only get more and more agressive:
www.nypost.com/p/news/business/singer_hunt_for_treasures_eBCiGMJEn8gOYhkoux94EJ

 

[PhilinBSAS]

If anyone is interested to know more about sailing a full rigged ship then this is a very accessible video off youtube ..

http://youtu.be/v6DZIvMZWzQ

The Sorlandet - Norwegian Full rigged Ship built as a sail trainer in Kristianstand in 1927 and the oldest Full-rigger still regularly sailing

 

[Gringoboy]

Phil, no doubt you MUST be a fan of Patrick O'Brian...as I am.

 

[Gringoboy]

GS...you should write a semi fiction book of your adventures.
Not many of us get to do much of what you have related even in a fraction of a lifetime.
I published mine, btw. Give it a go

 

[PhilinBSAS]

Fiction it was Hornblower and Conrad but for real ...
Eric Newby - The Last Grain Race
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Grain_Race
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2007/mar/14/theenduringmagicofericnew

or
Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald known in these waters and the inspiration for Hornblower
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/c/thomascochranedundonald.html

and
Alan Villiers .... who held shares variously in the Palma and the Joseph Conrad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snzGB-LvkQQ&feature=colike
http://www.aandc.org/collections/alan_villiers_bio.html


opps almost forgot and that would be terrible
Joshua Slocum - sailing alone around the world
http://www.joshuaslocumsocietyintl.org/

 

[GS_Dirtboy]

GS...you should write a semi fiction book of your adventures.
Not many of us get to do much of what you have related even in a fraction of a lifetime.
I published mine, btw. Give it a go

Thanks for the thought. I have done some writing and have been published. At the moment working on a full-length novel that is pulled from my experience as a first-grader in rural Alabama during integration.

I'll post a link to some of my other writings that are online.

Best,

GS

 

[cbonanni]

This turned out to be a great thread. I sailed onboard a tall Ship , "Te Vega" while in high school. She was a 156' Gaff Rigged Topsail Schooner built by Krupt in Kiel , Germany in 1932.I was onboard for 2 years , crossed the Atlantic and participated in the Bicentenial Op Sail in 1976 , New York City. I am still a bid fan of Tall SHips. I am also a big fan of O'Brien and The Hornblower series , and Highly recommend the Slocom video. I still sail. Here on friends boats as my 40ft are in the BVI's.

I am also going to bring in my BMW R1200SG to ride around Argentina , So GS_dirtboys article is going to be a big help. Thanks !!

 

[sergio]

Ghana National Enquirer reports sailors living in park, denied access to frigate. Nobody will exchange pesos for much more stable Ghanian currency. Sailors are desperate; some perform Argentine hornpipe dance accompanied by tin harmonica then pass around caps for tips. Some citizens report missing wallets. Yesterday two cooks sneaked on board frigate, left with suitcase of pots and pans for demonstration planned outside Argentine embassy. Sanitation authorities concerned about park now littered with Coca-Cola bottles. Highly placed Enquirer sources report that Minister of Social Welfare is concerned urgent situation may lead to other vices if not soon resolved. President has planned a video conference with Her Excellency, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Harvard law students have been invited to meeting to assist with negotiations. Tense atmosphere in Ghana. Stay tuned for breaking news.

 

[Gringoboy]

I've been a sailor most of my life and a few years back had the good fortune to sail my own boat, a 30ft, long keel wooden sloop from West Wales (Milford Haven) to Barcelona via the Bay of Biscay.
Six weeks of bliss.
No TV, internet, mobile phones or any of the other trappings we take soo seriously and anchor us to dry land.

 

[PhilinBSAS]

Yes interesting thread with branches off into motorbiking and sailing reminiscences. Also another thread going elsewhere on motorbiking and helicopters!

I have never done any serious square-rigg sailing like some others on here so I'm totally envious. I started on Gaff cutters - Bristol pilot etc then 72ft ketches built by the club (OYC) in Penryn taking youngsters on week sails across to Channel islands, France, Netherlands etc many never having sailed before. Square rig little use anyway since so much time spent beating in these waters and we could take part in Tall Ship Races as Class C. The STA has now dropped their topsail schooners in favour of this type of boat anyway - can get more people sailing this way. Went on board TS Royalist - top gallant Brig run by the Sea Cadets last year. They lost a trainee aloft in 2010 who had unclipped and they were heavily criticised by MAIB. I have known a number of Mates with tickets who also sail with OYC, STA and Sea Cadets - in Fowey last year as storm bound and things definately improved as all women afterguard (8). Shouldn't have been surprised.

My Sadler 29 is kept in the Helford River near Falmouth. Had thought of bringing her down to the River Plate piggyback on a container ship but I have heard decidedly mixed views on keeping a yacht in BsAs especially if not locally registered.

Oh yes Ive only got a Kawasaki GT550 - the couriers favourite in London and no superbike aspirations!

It's a shocking shame about the Libertad. Cant help sympathising with the crew and there are a lot of passengers all caught up in this mess too who are all up the same creek it seems. Reality doesnt allow for Patrick O'Brian type daring rescues. She may end up having to rename AFA La deuda de Cristina!