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CRAFTSMANSHIP


BEKEN OF COWES


Chas knew she would be looked after, however. Simpson’s crew worked at King’s yard during the winter, on the understanding that he would make up their wages if sailing kept them off work. At this time, the stem was replaced, along with extensive framing work, a new teak deck, and a monstrous new deckhouse. During Simpson’s 20-year ownership, Patna sailed to Holland, Belgium, France and Northern Ireland, as well as racing enthusiastically back home during Burnham Week.


OCEAN CRUISING


After Chas’ death in 1974, the much-loved boat was sold again. She was taken up by a consortium of professors, including Fred and Helen Lockwood, who eventually bought out the other partners. All her owners were passionate about the yacht’s qualities, and Fred was no exception. He kept her at Heybridge Basin on the River Blackwater in Essex for most of his 29-year ownership, racing locally and making passages with family and friends to northern France, the Baltic and the Azores.


The most notable voyage, however, was to Fred’s family home in Nova Scotia, via Madeira, Bermuda and the US in 1982-83. The return leg in August and September 1983 was an extraordinary test of both the crew and the boat, as they weathered 11 gales. The log offers a hair-raising commentary: “2nd Gale. Force 10. NE. Slides breaking off mainsail. Down to bare poles. Ship laid over with the press of wind. Huge seas breaking aboard, even lifting the skylights under their covers and water cascading below. Starboard aft shroud breaks. Sea a mass of


boiling foam fl ying through the air. Dinghy lashings working loose. Both bilge pumps blocked up, require Fred


crawling into the sloshing bilge to


clear. Wheel steering shears pin to shaft and must be lashed. Pump oil down WC, which helps this lunacy. Eighteen hours of hoping the crew and boat will survive. “Gale follows gale, often from different quarters, throwing up confused seas. The windlass handle and the irreplaceable mast winch handle were lost overboard. A ‘pan pan’ was put out after the emergency steel steering tiller broke in half, the wheel steering constantly needing repair. This brought the response of a container ship that was able to give lee shelter in order to weld the broken tiller after hauling the parts aboard with a heaving line, Fred trying to avoid collision in the swell. Later, the essential tiller was washed overboard and the autohelm gave up, meaning Patna could no longer heave-to. Nearing the Scilly Isles, a call was broadcast requesting guidance into St Mary’s, as no charts were available.” Some may question the decision to sail an ageing yacht across the North Atlantic at that time of year. The fact that she survived is remarkable – and largely due to Fred’s leadership. With his crew, he was able to sort out problems and repair damage as it occurred – the essence of seamanship. The log ends with the words: “These men have my deepest respect and admiration.”


Patna returned to Heybridge Basin and indulged in rather more gentle cruising thereafter.


Next month: Re-rigging Patna CLASSIC BOAT JUNE 2012 87


Main picture: Patna under sail Above: Previous owner Fred Lockwood at the helm during his last voyage Far left: New owner Greg’s studio, from which he planned the restoration


GREG POWLESLAND


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