Extracts from Richard's Log

Extracts from Richard's Log
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February 10, 2001

....On occasion, I’ve mentioned that I’ve seen ships in the vicinity, mostly freighters. Well, how about aircraft carriers! When I’m rowing, I usually focus my vision at the end of the boat, and the horizon just beyond it. Seldom do I turn my head from side to side to see what’s there. Yesterday, as I was focused in my usual position, I noticed a military ship come into view. It was only about 2,000 yards from me, less than Ѕ mile. I watched it for a few moments, then decided to see if I could make radio contact with it. As I reached behind me, to open the hatch a turn on the radio, I noticed another ship, just like the first, coming up behind it. I put out a call to the captain of the ship, but no answer. I called four times. Nothing. I turned around in my seat, and to my utter astonishment, about Ѕ mile away was a giant aircraft carrier, and as I scanned the horizon, I could see ships in every direction. I called again on the radio, and said something to the effect, and this time to anyone who was listening, “I hope you guys can see me on your radar, because I’m a rowboat, and I cannot move out of your way.” That got some attention. A voice comes on and says, “This is (the name of the ship, but I couldn’t understand what he said.), aircraft carrier number 1. What is your position?” I told him I didn’t have my GPS on at the moment.” He then asked me to describe the two ships I had been trying to contact. I told him just a moment, and I would get him my location. After giving it to him, he said, “We have a visual on you.” I would hope so, as I was almost underneath his flight deck. He asked me if I was in distress, and did I need assistance. I said, “No, I just wanted you fellows to know I’m out here.” He acknowledged. I said I would leave my radio on for a while until they had passed. I then heard him radio to the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy which was about two miles away, and coming up fast in my direction. The Kennedy acknowledged the radio contact, said that they had heard all the conversation, but that they did, as yet, not have a visual contact on me. He said that they were changing course to avoid any possibility of collusion with me. In the distance, I could this giant ship making its turn. When the Kennedy came along side of me, also only about 2,000 yards away, and I could that they were all going to pass by me safely, I called to the radiomen of boat carriers, and told them I was turning off my radio. I thanked them for communicating with me and told then that if they wanted to know more about me, and why I was out there, they could read about me from my web site, which I gave to them. The radioman from the Kennedy acknowledged my contact, thanked me for the information and said that when he went off duty, he would look up my web site. End of conversation. There must have been at least 10 – 12 ships in the convey. The carriers were flanked on either side by the cruisers or destroyers, or whatever they’re called. I’m assuming this was the naval fleet stationed in Norfolk, VA out on maneuvers. What are the chances of my little boat, in this vast ocean, landing smack in the middle of a convey of navy ships. I’m mighty glad this encounter didn’t happen at night. Have a nice day. Richad
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February 11, 2001
....I’m still in awe at having been caught in the middle of the U.S. Navy fleet as it passed by me. That incident will surely be one of the highlights of this entire voyage.

Extract from John Fairfax's Log (1969)

June 16 147th day

An American aircraft carrier stopped by this afternoon, the Saratoga. I was sleeping at the time. It was quite amazing for me to scramble out of my rathole and see such a beautiful, gigantic fighting ship pass by. It was like a reminder of the first big tanker I had met, the Bulford. They sent food to me by helicopter. The funny thing about this is that they lowered a lifeboat and came all the way down to me, as I drifted downwind from the stopped vessel, and none of us, neither the chap in charge of the lifeboat nor I, suggested that I be towed back to the Saratoga and be given the food there. Instead they sent a helicopter and dropped the food a few feet from Britannia. Generous as usual, the Americans really overdid it a bit. In fact, it was so heavy I could barely pull it inside Britannia and later on had to throw some overboard. But it was a very nice thing for the captain to do—I mean, to stop the Saratoga for me—and he also sent a personal gift: a carton of Raleigh cigarettes (I suppose he chose Raleigh with a sense of humor) and a few other things and goodies.

Well, Captain O’Neill, thank you very much. This is not only from me but also from Britannia, because I’m sure she felt very proud that such a big fighting ship should stop and send a helicopter for little her. This was soon after noon. Now the weather has changed: we are becalmed, and under an incredibly moonless, starry sky.

Rowed all night, about twelve hours, until dawn.