American Yachtsmen

Seek the South Seas

MR. DWIGHT LONG who became well known in the Pacific before the war when he sailed across the South Seas, (see “PIM” January issue) writes us from California that he now has a new boat which he has named Timi in memory of the Tahitian boy who was his shipmate on the Idle Hour. Timi is only 26 ft. long and is not built for long ocean voyages.

Mr. Long sends also, news of another small-boat voyager who should soon be seen in the Pacific. He writes; “Captain Harry Pidgeon who will be 78 next August, is about to make some small boat history. Many islanders will remember him from the days when he sailed his famous 34-ft. yawl ‘lslander’ around the world with calls at many Pacific ports. He is the only man living to accomplish that feat twice, and alone.

“He is, however, alone no longer. He was married about 21 years ago. His wife, Margaret, was born on a full-rigged ship in the West Indies.

“Together they are making Islander ready and plan to shove off again for the Islands during the Northern Spring.

“The famous Museum in Newport News, Virginia, has asked Captain Pid geon to allow them to have Islander as a permanent exhibit, but according to his present plans it will be some time before his boat is retired and becomes a museum piece.”

ANOTHER yachtsman who expects to set sail South-bound from the Cali fornian coast is Charles J. Spurling.

He has a 36-ft. sailing boat.

The Rev. J. R. Andrews, chairman of the Methodist Overseas Mission at Dobu, Papua, arrived in Sydney on leave at the end of January.