Crew Of "Margaret Rintoul" Had Rough Trip To Hobart

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842 - 1954), Monday 1 January 1951, page 2

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Crew Of "Margaret Rintoul" Had Rough Trip To Hobart

By NORMAN HUDSON, "Herald" Yachting Correspondent, who was the mate of the crew of "Margaret Rintoul" in the Sydney Hobart race.

Crew members of yawl "Margaret Rintoul" yesterday had the thrill of coming first across the finishing line in the 635 mile Sydney Hobart race.

These extracts from my log tell the story of the voyage:

TUESDAY

Departing Sydney Heads. Crew all amateurs fresh from office desks, finding it hard to get sea legs in gruelling smash to wind-ward against strong southerly and rough seas.  Seasickness takes toll, but all keep working. Wireless transmission packed up when rigging fouled aerial.

Took lead with Mistral V.

WEDNESDAY

Still battling against southerly. Crew endeavouring to prepare hot meal of some sort. Cook strapped to galley.- Bucking seas.

Thirty miles offshore bad leak develops. Can't get motor pump working-hand rotary barely keeping water under control.

Many changes oilskins and clothes. Nothing dry left to wear. Cold night, blowing hard-still harder. We hang on to full sail and rushing headlong into blinding squalls-visibility less than 50 yards.  Overtook Mistral V, reducing sail, in the murk we hang on to full main and staysail.

THURSDAY

Seas moderating. Light beam winds. Drying out clothing and bedding in sun. Cleaning up boat. All ship's company eating well now and ready for anything.

Ron Wise goes aloft 60ft mast to clear aerial-nearly whipped out of bosun's chair-leg lacerated on wire halyard - lowered safely - Russell Price sent up for second attempt but failed-too hazardous in leftover sea.

FRIDAY

Surfing before waves at breathtaking speed-thrilling but tension mounts as we run dangerously by the lee to maintain our course. Flying fish and squid washed aboard when pooped.  Mistral V runs past us during the afternoon.

SATURDAY

South-westerly gale strikes without warning off the east coast of Tasmania-went out wide. Decks awash - mountainous seas pounding hull. Helmsman and crew clamped to the boat with safety lines.

Spindrift blinding. Bedding and blankets getting very soggy. Thrashing into gale, still carrying on. Took shelter under Maria Island to adjust sail.

Back in sea again and in full force of gale. Fought seas all night.

SUNDAY

Arrived off Tasman Island at dawn. Tacking into light southwesterly with all sails set. Carme to grips with Mistral V in Storm Bay. Luffing match followed.  Boat for 'boat we have a luffing match for nearly an hour until we gradually move ahead, widening the gap as we run under spinnaker to the entrance of the Derwent.

Nine miles down the river we cross victorious for line honours. The end to a titanic struggle against our opponents and the elements.

Numerous gales sandwiched with perfect sailing conditions provided the most rugged contest to date.

Editors Note: 

The article is "as published" I haven't made any edits so the reader gets the feel of the level of reporting at the time. This article appeared on page 2 of the SMH on Jan 1, 1951, 7 days after the start of the race.  This is another example of a personal log kept by a crew member, in this case, Norman Hudson the mate of Margaret Rintoul.  For the story of the next race to Hobart 1951 and another example of  log-keeping  See Ken Cornwell -Navigator's Log - Race Record 1951 Hobart

PK June 2020