Puffin - the story so far

The 15 foot boat Puffin is set to arrive in Thurmaston, during December. The boat is to be prepared for а journey across the Atlantic, rowed single handedly by local adventurer Graham Walters.
Since the last edition of the ТТ, Graham has been contacted through our newspaper, by the cousin of John Hoare, John, together with David Johnstone attempted to row the Atlantic in Puffin, back in 1966. Both men were lost, only the boat survived.
Detail of the voyage has now come to light following this meeting and the story is worthy of being told in some detail here.
On Sunday May 22nd 1966, two white oars dipped into the Atlantic breakers and an incredible journey was underway. Before the Puffin lay 3000 miles of the most vicious waters on earth. With а crossing target of 50 days Johnstone and Ноаге left Norfolk, Virginia to cheering crowds, the little boat carrying а ton of food, water, and equipment.

US Coastguard's escorted the boat out of the shallow coastal waters into the deep ocean, and afterwards, there was silence.
Across the waves in Саре Соd, John Ridgway and Shay Blyth were also preparing to row the Atlantic. David Johnstone was quoted as saying "We never wanted а race, but of course it is".
In the first week of the voyage Puffin narrowly escaped being blown out of the water, having strayed into а U.S. Navy gunnery range. In а week when 300 miles was the expected distance, only 20 were covered, and even worse а week's supply of food had been used up. Four weeks passed and there was no sighting until the American steamship Ashley Lykes reported seeing the small orange craft, just 990 miles east of Boston.
Having taken food and supplies for 65 days, 51 days had passed and 2000 miles of treacherous sea lay ahead.
The log of the journey for July 4th stated "I saw the Ashley Lykes ."Do you need anything?" said а khaki clad man on the bridge. I waved "We could dо with some food", while John shouted, "What is our position?".
The ship lunged on turned and lunged back at full speed. "He's not stopping and it's the 4th of July too!" He raced away into the mist. We looked after him thinking he was stopping, then seeing his bow wake had not lessened. He was the first human being, and the first human voice other than our own, that we had seen or heard since the 9th June. "What did he slow down for and ask what we needed if he wasn't going to stop", said John."
On July 24th the Benghazi of the Fred Olsen Line passed and almost stopped. After а brief exchange down came the much needed food. Two loaves, tinned milk, two packets of tea, fish balls, fish cakes, а box of Carr's Assorted English Creams, marmalade, margarine, cartons of cigarettes and matches.
The entry of August 10th stated that water was critical, only а gallon left. The boat being battered by NE winds, with no progress being made. The last entry on Saturday 3rd September, (day 106) again stated no rowing due to Force 2 NNW winds.
Late in the afternoon of 14th October 1966 the port lookout on Her Majesty's Canadian ship Chaudiere reported an unidentified object three miles off the port bow. It was the Puffin.
The warship's captain ordered engines to be slowed and as the Chaudiere cautiously came within fifty yards of the object, it became obvious that it was а small plywood rowing boat. Divers reported no signs of life, and after retrieving equipment, eventually the tiny boat was lifted aboard. In the marine life that covered the hull was the journal identifying the craft.
What happened to Puffin can only be imagined. The probability is that she was swept in the mountainous seas of Hurricane Faith. Tossed violently upside-down among battering waves the height of а five story building.
The final words of this article must go to Hoare and Johnstone. "If we don't have а go, we shall live the rest of our lives wondering if we might have made it-and knowing that only fear persuaded us from the attempt."
Both men were lost, only the boat survived.