W/NW Boats and Ships

The Eye of the Wind Brigantine.

The Eye of the Wind Brigantine.

I have recently been digitizing some photos made on a sailing and diving tip around the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea in the late 1980's. The ship, a brigantine (two masts, with the forward mast being square rigged and the rear (main) mast being fore and aft rigged with square topsails) was the Eye of the Wind built in 1911, and at that time was based in Australia. Some years later it subsequently was sold and is now in the northern hemisphere. The ship has had a storied history including as a film star, appearing in a variety of movies in the 1980's and 1990's. Including The Blue Lagoon; White Squall; Tai-Pan; Lost at Sea. It was rebuilt in the 1970s after being derelict for some years and in 1978 became the flagship of Operation Drake, a two year adventure taking groups of young people on explorations around the world. It ultimately served as and made its living as a sail training and charter vessel under the master-ship of Anthony "Tiger" Timbs a member of the consortium who restored her in the 1970s.

At anchor at sunset as we return from a dive aboard a "zodiac" boat.

E2ZUN3l.jpg


At anchor at near Florida Island, Solomon Islands

LHhGKpR.jpg


Sailing into Sydney Harbour during the 1988 bicentenary celebrations.

gr3xNm8.jpg
 




Hindeloopen, Friesland, The Netherlands. Hindeloopen received city rights in 1225 and in 1368 it became a member of the Hanseatic League. Since the 12th and 13th century, the sea captains of Hindeloopen undertook journeys to the North and Baltic Sea Coasts. Strong overseas connections with foreign countries and infrequent contact with the hinterland were the reasons for the development of the Hindeloopen language: a mixture of West Frisian, English, Danish, and Norwegian. The shipping trade brought great prosperity. The 17th and 18th century were golden years and during that period, the people of Hindeloopen spent their wealth in Amsterdam on fabrics and objects supplied by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). As you may have guessed, today it's a tourist destination. Cheers, OtL
 
Caldas and Paulbe: thanks!


It was some years ago in the mount Jaizkibel. It is in the Basque Country. There was a big storm in the sea and the winds and the waves sent the ship to the rocks... It was a hard night for them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top