Fall 2011Chris Allen just stopped by to share some of his fond memories of his time aboard ROMANCE and the Kimberlys back in 1968. He was one of two Beloit College students sent down in September of ’68 to sail the Romance. During those years students at Beloit College had to take one of their semesters “off” to do a “real” job. At the time, Adrian Loughborough was the First Mate. Check out his great story about Skipper reading the winds.
Peter Wholihan wrote:
Don Lindsay, Adrian Loughborough, Angus McCamy, Ginny Caspari It was a grand send off, for a great man, who would have enjoyed being there (and he and his bride were certainly there in spirit), but who would have been a wee bit confused and embarrassed by all the hoopla. That is another of the many reasons he was so well loved and respected. We miss ya Skipper, thanks for the adventure! Tad Donnan was in touch. He had a copy of the First 1975 Cruise Announcement Letter and also the 1975 Log #1 which he sent along. I've added these to the "Log of the Romance" area and tried to put them all in better chronological order. Thanks Tad. Would like to find an early Log for the 1971 Pacific Trip that Gloria mentioned at the beginning of Log #2 - 1975. Also heard from Owen Hardy, Peter Damon and Art Read in regards to Skipper's passing. Their comments are on Skipper's tribute page.
Earlier this month, Jonathon Giddings wrote, "My stint was January through April of 1978 as a Field Term from Beloit College. My housemate Paul had done his Field Term the year before and warned me to memorize all the ships lines in the diagram that John Bieler in the FT office provided to me. He also suggested I bring my tennis racket with me because there'd be time to go ashore and play from time to time. Other crew members were Robie Price (First Mate), Mike Brown, Philip Bird, and John - can't remember his last name. Robie was great; Mike was a serious sailor; Philip was my best and only friend; and John was the guy every liked and admired. Thanks Jonathon for the interesting look back at life aboard Romance with Skipper....sans tennis time.
Summer- 2011
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| The Marinero Reunion with Skipper aboard the Barque Picton Castle was a success. Skipper traveled to JVD (Jost Van Dyke) with his sister and her husband Jane & Russ Meyer. A film crew followed him over from St. Thomas and was able to capture most of the action, plus interviews with Marineros: Capt. Dan Moreland (ROMANCE 1973-77), Bert Rogers Exec. Director American Sailtraining Assoc. (ROMANCE 1979-81), Clyde Sanadi, Brigantine Associates (ROMANCE 1973-74), Jim Webster Mega-Yacht Broker (ROMANCE 1968), and Mike Jehle, Exec. Director Fairfield Museum and History Center (ROMANCE 1987). |
Skipper waited on shore, as the Picton Castle sailed north of Tortola under full sail and into Great Harbor to anchor. He met Capt. Dan Moreland, as he came ashore at the BVI Customs dock. Soon after they retired to splice the main brace and get reacquainted. The Captain invited his old Skipper to visit his ship. Once aboard, Skipper seemed to shed 20 years, as he was an able seaman shipboard once again. Chief Mate Michael Moreland had the honor of showing off the Castle to Skipper. After his time aboard, Skipper invited the crew for a dinner celebration at Foxy’s. Skipper sat at a quiet table off to the corner, as visitors: shipmates, old friends and new acquaintances visited with him one after the next.
| Sir Foxy caught up with Skipper and related the story of how the captain blessed Foxy’s first concrete floor with his footprint. As always, Foxy’s hospitality did not disappoint and a good time was had by all well into the evening hours, during which time Marineros wandered down the beach to join the celebration from points beyond. The next day, was a full one aboard the Castle, with a reunion of friends, family, shipmates, and new introductions to the crew with Skipper. He made quick work of finding ways “to keep himself out of the way”. He spent most of the afternoon doing what he loves best, sailmaking, and teaching while doing. Tales long and short were told aboard, as old acquaintances were renewed and new ones developed. | 
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Sunday was race day in Foxy’s Wooden Boat Regatta. The Picton Castle had two small vessels: a long boat and a dory called A “Sea Never Dry” (www.doryshop.com) – in the race. Many of the crew signed on with other local boats, some whom took a western tack, to White Bay to become winners, in the island way of “enjoying life as it come”. The Marineros watched this classic from aboard the Castle, while Skipper was engrossed in being part of a ship again, mesmerizing the crew with his matter-of-fact knowledge and unique way of imparting it to them. Like so many before them, these lessons will stay with them in their voyages beyond.
| May 30, was as Skipper put it, “A Memorial Day Sail!” as Capt. Dan Moreland welcomed old friends (including Foxy, his wife Tess and Dee Carstarphen of Maverick), new acquaintances, and shipmates aboard for a sail. The Picton Castle plied the waters between Tortola and JVD under full sail. She sailed both off and back onto the hook at Great Harbour. The Castle’s crew shined, while old hands lent a hand to gain a piece of the moment. Skipper hoisted sail, coiled down, and took a turn at the wheel. It was a wonder for all to see him in his element again, after so many years. It was a grand time for an admirable fellow, 89 years young. As he said many times over the weekend, “I’m as happy as a lark.” Of course, that was the whole idea. |
A big Thank You to Peter Wholihan for the story and the Picton Castle for the photos!
Spring - 2011
Picton Castle to host Marineros at Jost van Dyke!
5/12 - A flurry of emails about the reunion. For the most recent update on the reunion, see the Reunion link.Recent visits include Marinero Jeanne Shaub who passes along her best wishes. Jeanne did the 1971-1972 Pacific cruise, Grenada to Hawaii and several week-long Caribbean cruises. She'd love to attend but is not as nimble as back in those fine days in the Pacific.......
Tony and Janine Martinelli, from Port Charlotte, FL stopped by. They spent part of their honeymoon on the Romance in April of 1967 in the B.V.I. Adrian was the first mate and Manfred Dietrick was on board for most of the trip. That was Tony's introduction to sailing and he's never stopped.
4/20 - This just in from Peter Wholihan. Dan Moreland is getting folks together Memorial Day weekend at Jost Van Dyke in the BVI. Skipper will be there along with Dee Carstarphen of MAVERICK fame, Dyke and Inga Wilmerding of MANDOO and ZULU WARRIOR and Manfred Dietrich, ex-PAMIR and famous Sailmaker of Hassle Island. Also in the plans is a day sail aboard the Picton Castle. Accomodations are pretty scant aboard the Picton Castle, but where there is a will there is a way. Please spread the word.
Coming? Please fill out this ONLINE FORM so we can gather a list of who is coming and when. If sending an email to Dan, due to the capacity of the satellite communications system, please keep replies them short and don't send photos or attachments. Email him at: picton.castle@pc.atseamail.com. Like that favorite CSNY song from days sailing among the Virgin Islands say, "we may never pass this way again....", hope you'll be there for this special occasion.
| Tony Probst got in touch and provided this photo of the ROMANCE heading back to Pitcairn from Henderson with her decks full of wood. He cruised the world aboard the Trimaran Lorelei 3 with his family between 1967 and 1980 and saw the ROMANCE repeatedly in the Caribbean, at Pitcairn, Tahiti and the Galapagos to name a few. At one point, the Lorelei 3 was seized at gun point and all of their photos were lost. He has asked if anyone who took photos of the ROMANCE in St. Thomas might have pictures that showed their trimaran anchored nearby. He is currently building a website based on stories of early Pitcairn and is trying to contact Marineros who sailed on the Henderson trips. You can reach him at ssm723@aol.com . | 
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Winter - January 2011
Another Marinero just stopped by. Rob Peterson was aboard in 1982 for three months. He recalls when he first came aboard he was scared of Skipper who told him, "she's not a boat; she's a ship" and that other crew warned him not to whistle. It didn't take long to grow to love and admire Skipper and Mrs K and appreciate their mastery of their craft. Don Lindsay was there most of the time along with Kurt, Kim and Patrick, who left soon after he arrived; Ross and Clay arrived and stayed on.Good to hear from an early guest. Valerie (Griessmeyer) Kassl was aboard the Romance in the BVI during the week of Easter 1984. Romance had recently returned from Grenada where they rescued one of Linc's relations by stowing him below decks. She remembers how Gloria whipped up a Great Easter dinner in the small gallery and wishes she had stayed aboard for the voyage to Quebec.
Bill Turnbull checked in. He's been out of circulation a while with some health issues, now back in Dutch Harbor after recovering from a heart attack. After some genealogical research, it turns out that he is a direct descendant of Dr. Andrew Turnbull, the founder of New Smyrna Beach, where Capt.Kimberley dropped his hook. Small world.
Peter Wholihan posted photos and details of Skipper's visit to the VI for Thanksgiving.
Still waiting for news from the publisher of the book "Pirate King". They are now considering another photo for the chapter divider......will let you know if ROMANCE will be used. Latest NEWS. The ROMANCE photo will be used!
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Just received an email requesting the use of this B&W photo of ROMANCE for use as a chapter divider in a new book called "Pirate King" by Laurie R. King. Thanks much to many of you who helped identify the photographer.....Mrs. K.
A flurry of emails and memories of the '71-'72 South Pacific trip came in from Ronn Winkler, Peter Damon, Peter Wholihan, Lynn Bouck and Judy Bracik: |
From Ronn Winkler's log: It was Jan 14, 72. Friday, We have 16 sails now! Stuns'ls were set this morning for the first time. Just beautiful. You should have heard the ooo's and aah's when the topmast stuns'l snapped into place. It was sent up forward of the yards and hidden behind the topsail from those standing aft. Until I hauled on the tack, Whop! - It appeared and set all at once........Noon pos, Lat 13 deg 29 min S. Long 111 deg 28 min W. Ave sp 5.4 K,. DMG 130 MN @ 238 deg T, Dist travelled 1543 NM.
Judy Bracik: I believe that is the old mainsail, (not footed down if I still have my terminology correct). I think this may be a picture that Mrs. K took after we set the stunsuls. Anyone recognize or remember who was at the wheel?
Peter Damon relates: My recollection is that on the first day we set those stunsails after having sewn them (Jim, you , and me principally – I don’t think Skipper actually sewed these – could be wrong though) and manufactured the spars and other rigging like the irons, halyards, sheets, etc., we lowered the longboat and Dan ran several trips ahead and to leeward to photograph the occasion. The challenge was to get low and behind a wave that would hide most of the hull – a neat trick given the motion of everything. Also Romance had to be upright – not rolling back and forth backing the sails. There really wasn’t much wind, but the photo couldn’t let that on, so timing and luck was everything. As for some details, I believe the helmsman was Tad Donnan – he wore a white hat like that. Under the curve of the exhaust pipe is perhaps yourself (or Gloucester Mary – it’s the hair). Skipper may be standing by the rail forward.
Lynn Bouck: I would agree with Judy Bracik that this photo was probably taken by Mrs. K on the 71-72 S. Pacific trip which I was also on. This shot looks very familiar and I am sure I have a color slide very similar if not the same exact shot (I'll have to check). As I recall this was mid Pacific somewhere between the Galapagos and Pitcairn. We all took turns going off in the launch to take photos and I believe the event was the setting of the stunsuls which were finished and set for the first time on that trip.
Summer 2010
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August and two more early Marineros stopped by.
David "Charlie" Brown wrote: "I had a great time in 1969 doing the eight day cruises in the Virgins and then ending with a sail down to Grenada for haul out. I was known as Charlie Brown on the ship. I was also on a work term from Beloit College with Mark Nebel". Thanks Charlie for the photo! Jim McTigue crewed aboard ROMANCE in the Summer 1986 with Sutcliffe, Avishair (Israel), and Patrick from Australia. |
Great to hear from another early Marinero, Chris Allen who sailed aboard ROMANCE between 1 September and 22 December 1968. He was a crewman under Adrian Loughborough as a work Semester from Beloit College when they outfitted her at SW2nd St in Miami and sailed her down to Charlotte Amalie.
He wrote, "I loved that pile of English oak. The days I was on her seemed like a lifetime. I can tell you this; I enlisted as an officer and had a military career and did a lot of things, but I NEVER worked as hard as I did on the Romance. Not because the Skipper asked me to, but because the Romance required it."
Still nothing new on the Documentary. Anyone have any details?
Winter - February 2010
Another ex-ROMANCER stopped by, Kelly Johnson - crewed summer '83 - boarded the Romance in Roadtown, Tortola, B.V.I. He crewed with Rob and Keith. He said it was quite an experience for a kid from Nebraska and although it his time was short aboard ROMANCE, it left an indelible mark that he'll always remember and cherish.
 | Photographs of the ROMANCE taken by this site's webmaster will be featured at an upcoming Art Show called "Fish & Ships". My wife does fish water colors, I have many shots of the ROMANCE. I'm looking forward to telling attendees about the ROMANCE and her extraordinary people and adventures. |