Rue Britannia!
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
They might be tourists, these two yarning under the coconut tree. But they’re two of the First-Time-It’s- Ever-Been-Done fraternity Sylvia Cook and John Fairfax, who are making the first-ever rowing boat trip across the Pacific to Australia. The tree is on the beach at Tarawa, capital of the GEIC. Their 35 ft Britannia II rowing boat, below, hit the Onotoa reef in the Gilberts on January 9, after they pulled all the way from Mexico.
Their navigation wasn’t at fault. They were swept on to the reef by strong currents. Britannia II was taken in tow by the MV Nareau, formerly the LMS ship John Williams VII, and brought to Tarawa for repairs. It was only their second time on dry land in 163 days. One hundred and five days after leaving Mexico they arrived at Washington Island, stayed there for 37 days and then resumed the row. They landed on the reef, unharmed but with slight damage to Britannia II 1,650 miles later.
Australia was their goal but they now think the currents will force a New Guinea landfall.