Remembering Robb White

We all certainly have regrets. And, one of my biggest regrets is never actually getting to meet, or correspond with one of the neatest guys any of us could have called a friend: Robb White. In one place or another on my eclectic book shelves are probably every title by the White family. I'll just chalk it up to timidness on my part; but I never bothered to write to Mr. White. And, then suddenly, he was gone!

Dan Rogers Almostcanada
_______________

Speaking of timid.  I was at Cedar Key the last year Robb was there. I knew who he was and I wanted to approach him and chat a bit, but I was too timid. He was right there, maybe 10 feet away. I could see his aura – maybe that was the problem. - Chuck

Keegan's Question

Hi Chuck. I'm wondering if the video Keegan referred to in September letters is the "Hands Shannon One Design" videos on YouTube that were first aired on Irish television in the late 70's and early 80's. There are three 8 - 10 minute videos on hand building a Shannon One Design lapstrake sailboat. Quite lovely.

Charlie Guth

This is what I was looking for, thank you!  - Keegan Evans.

Under the Cabin Lamp: A Yachtsman's Gossip
by H Alker Tripp

Book Review by John Nystrom

For those who haven’t heard of Lodestar Books from previous book reviews I and others have done, you need to know that Lodestar is a British publisher of “New and Neglected Nautical Writing.”  The quality of the bookbinding and production is exceptional, and I have yet to be disappointed by any book from Lodestar, either new work or reprint of volumes long unavailable.  Under the Cabin Lamp seems to have never been reprinted, and I can’t for the life of me figure out why.

Sir Herbert Alker Tripp (1883-1954) published four books on sailing, with this being his last.  Besides his avocation of sailing, Tripp was also an accomplished amateur artist, having several works used as tourism posters by English railroads.  He had wanted to pursue art as a profession, but was pushed into becoming a civilian employee of the London Metropolitan Police, like his father.  He rose from clerk to eventually become the first ever civilian Assistant Commissioner; Tripp was recognized as an expert on road and traffic management, and was knighted for his efforts in that field in wartime London. 

The places where Tripp spins his yarns are all still there in name, the Thames estuary and English East Coast, but even then the author recognized that the world he had inhabited was passing, indeed, much of it had already passed.  That fact doesn’t detract from the narrative at all, in fact it is all the more relevant to me, as I have on the agenda to read a couple of Lodestar published volumes by modern sailors who sail these same waters.  I have no idea if I’ll ever see the land of the Swallows and Amazons, much less enjoy their waters, but Under the Cabin Lamp is a great voyage for the imagination.    

From the preface and jacket of this edition:

“The ordinary yachtsman has many yarns to tell, but his gossip is mostly of a homely kind. . . . Recollections of this kind are told under the cabin lamp, when sails are furled and the anchor down.  We all have our own stories and topics, and here are a few of mine. . . . tales of London’s river and Thames mouth, of the Suffolk coast, of Cowes and the Solent, of Devon, and Cornish waters – tales, too, of old Britannia, of adventure into Broadland, of cruising and racing, and of stormy passages and peaceful havens.”

Also reproduced within the text are the author’s original illustrations, which depict the scenes the author is describing.  The illustrations make me wonder why no one has attempted to collect samples of Tripp’s artwork and publish what would be a brilliant nautical art book?  I hope this suggestion gets into the hands of someone at Lodestar or another nautical or art publisher.

At this time, I don’t think Duckworks is carrying any Lodestar books, but both Woodenboat Store and Small Craft Advisor Store are carrying a few Lodestar published items, possibly even this one.  Check any of those if you can’t get your local book store to order it.  Last resort, of course, is Amazon.com.   This is a read well worth your time and money.  I’m glad I took the time.

Under the Cabin Lamp: A Yachtsman’s Gossip
By H. Alker Tripp
Lodestar Books, London: 2014
(First published 1950 by Iliffe and Sons Ltd for Yachting World Magazine)

The Kelly Davis Story

Chuck

Reading about the cat rowing the 200. Cool story. He mentions gulping ibuprofen, which I realize was an exaggeration, but you really should warn folks they need a bunch more water, plain water, if they take drugs in the heat. Those nSAID drugs will kill your liver, so you gotta stay wet, which is obviously crucial in the Texas summer sun.

Robert
____________

You just did, Robert - Chuck

Tri To Understand

Chuck:

I sent the following letter and photo to Dan Rogers:

it's not you it's me, i just can't keep from building.

if some word wit was to get hold of this i bet they could come up with something DW worthy.

Gene

and of course the following came back:

Two is better than one.

First there was, but one. 
One, was good.
Pleasing, and pleasant
To look at.

But, just one?

Then, by golly, another.
Two, much more than only one.
A match, a pair.
One for the other.

But, only two?

Finally, a third appeared.
Three, a whole new way to look at things.
A couple, and a consort.
Two of the same, and one for the middle.

Dan Rogers  

"Happy Hour" in South Africa

Hi Chuck,

Perhaps this can go in the "Letters" section of the magazine.

Just got an update on Gerhard's "Happy Hour" kayak down in South Africa.

In his own words:

Hi Alex

Hope you're well. I am almost finished with my "Happy hour". I must just finish my chair. I have attached pictures of my kayak end product. I am very happy with the outcome and I really enjoyed the experience. I must still go wet test the kayak in the river, but it is very stable and strong when I tested it in my swimming pool. Well done on a great design!!!! It is a real head turner.

Kind Regards
Gerhard Kleinhans

Looks like the ultimate fishing machine to me! Great job, Gerhard!

Alex

Radical idea for small boat blocks

Check out these textile sheve axle blocks.  I think it might be risky to try to diy duplicate them, but they are interesting.

Bob Patterson
Fernley, NV

Lexical legerdemain of nautical nuance

Simplicate.

Lay for’d to the sail locker. Search among the #2 drifter, mule, blade, jenny, blooper, jenniker, and spinny stay’sl. Bend on the best choice for a close reach.

***************

Pick a jib?

***************

Yeah.

Standby to come about.  Belay that! Standby to gybe.  Ease the mainsheet. Cast off the preventer.  Put the helm up. Mind yer helm, and prepare to meet ‘er. Cast off at the pin rail.  Scandalize the mizzen!

****************

Duck?

****************

Yeah.  Duck!

Strike below, and break out sufficient stores for mid rats. Roust out the jack o’the dust, and have him put a high shine to Charlie Noble. Draw yer ration from the scuttlebutt. Then secure the messdeck until clampdown.

**********************

PBJ & water in the cockpit?

**********************

‘Nach.

Make all preparations for entering port.  Point and veer two fathoms of warp from the port hawse. Heave ‘round lively, now. Belay and make fast to the horned cleat. Flake and coil down; a round turn to the bollard.

***********************

Tie the boat up?

***********************

Yup.

Mark her bearing drift. Calculate a course to compensate, one to correct. She’s making way, standing into constant bearing, Decreasing range. Helm down.  Let ‘er luff.

*******************

Oh shit!  We’re gonna’ hit?

*******************

You got it.

-Dan Rogers-

Wayback

Here is another of Herb's wonderful catalog scans: