Miles Smeeton (1906–1988)

One of the great classics of cruising sailing literature. I purchased a copy after re-reading the Smeeton's biography "High Endeavours" (which I originally came to through reading "Once is Enough" many years ago). Told in Miles Smeetons dryly humerous and friendly prose it's the story of how, in 1957, he and his wife Beryl tried twice to sail their yacht Tzu Hang around Cape Horn and both times met with disaster. It's also the story of how people pushed to the very edge can fight back and show more survive (through their own spirit, skills and with a modicum of luck). It's is also a story of the kindness of strangers and how connections made many years previously can come to our aid when we need them. A classic for a reason!
A couple of footnotes -
In recent years scientific study has shown that freak waves, many times larger than those around them, and previously thought to be the invention of tall tale telling sailors, are a real thing. Read Beryl's description of the first wave that toppled them and then do some reading on freak waves...)
The Smeetons did eventually make it around the Horn in Tzu Hang, in 1968, sailing the "wrong way", from East to West.
If you want to see some of John Guzzwell's footage during the first attempt see here: https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/video/cape-horn-sailing-round-the-horn-195... (the patronising description of Beryl is awful but the footage is great) show less

Classic account of yachting adventure in the 1950s. Miles and Beryl Smeeton, attempting to follow the track of the old grain ships from Australia to England via Cape Horn in their ketch Tzu Hang, are twice caught in storms in the Southern Ocean, capsized, dismasted, and forced to make for the coast of Chile. With the help of large quantities of colonial-era stiff upper lip, resourceful improvisation, seamanship, and sheer physical and mental toughness, they make it both times. Smeeton's show more account of the dangers they faced is rather understated by modern standards, but it's easy enough to read between the lines and get a sense of how difficult it would have been for any normal person to stay calm and carry out a rational survival plan under such circumstances. Of course, the Smeetons weren't exactly unused to danger. After climbing in the Himalayas and war service in the Western Desert and Burma, finding yourself in a disabled, waterlogged small boat 800 miles from the nearest land might seem like a walk in the park. Possibly... show less

An interesting account of a husband-and-wife team that takes a yacht down into the Southern Ocean and gets rolled over/somersaulted by a huge wave....on 2 separate occasions. The understated British narration keeps things from getting too exciting, but it's an intriguing story for nautical types nonetheless. Seems like a warning designed for the small yachstman considering venturing far south.

Excellent true story by an excellent writer. A great description of sailing in the southern ocean.