Stirring tales of great deeds on the oceans

BBC Radio 4 once again came into its own last weekend, with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s recollections on navigating the world’s oceans during the Golden Globe sailing race of 1968/69. It was just the tonic, reminding us of all the qualities that often seem missing among our current world of turmoil, tragedy and grief.

Sir Robin’s recollections are worth another listen to, in particular for giving us uplifting accounts of triumph over adversity in the middle of ocean storms, while alone, with a boat in danger of breaking apart unless fixed, together with practical methods of stabilising the vessel in huge seas.

Dealing with a menacing shark while trying to repair below the waterline; coping with four days of severe appendicitis nearing the finish and being ignored by a passing ship after firing a distress flare, all adding to a reminder of a gutsy performance and recordbreaking passage, which inspired others such as Ellen McArthur and others since, to later sail away with a similar aim in mind.

There were also reminders of amusing recollections such as asking Sir Robin to “slow down a little” off Cornwall, in order to cross the finish line at Falmouth later on because the Mayor’s wife had booked her hair appointment at the same time as his estimated arrival. After 312 days alone at sea, when all you’re looking forward to is a beer, a steak and a shower; agreeing to the request and then having to sail another six hours, after being headed because of a wind shift, is priceless.

One magnificently generous post-race deed was when Sir

Robin donated his race winner’s prize money of £5,000 from The Sunday Times to the widow of the unfortunate Donald Crowhurst, who it is believed succumbed to the pressures he felt in trying to prepare and compete at the time. All worth another listen via BBC Sounds, if only to put into perspective any troubles anyone might have to currently deal with.

Paul Wakeling by email