The Big Drift
p. 105 · Read in the full issue
Despite tragedy, near drowning and starvation, the enthusiasm of ocean raft drifters continues unabated for what must be re garded as one of the most hazardous maritime adventures open to man.
Biggest drift of all is planned by Captain D’vere Baker, who wants to sail a raft from the Persian Gulf to Central America.
The 14,000 mile raft voyage is to be undertaken at the beginning of December in a $ 50,000 craft manned by a crew of 10, including Captain Baker’s wife.
Captain Baker hopes to prove a theory that an ancient Semitic people emigrated to Central America 2,000 years ago.
The craft, “Lehi V” is made of wood, 40-ft long and 20-foot wide, with a single collapsible mast rising 30-ft from its deck.
Captain Baker’s plan is to drift from the Sheikdom of Oman through the Indian Ocean, the China Seas and the Straits of Malaya through the Pacific Ocean to America.
Pacific interest is in the fact that three years ago, Captain Baker drifted from California to Hawaii on the raft Lehi IV .