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Monday, April 13. 2009

Best video of 1929: Around Cape Horn under sail

A 30-minute video by Capt. Irving Johnson as a young man in 1929, capturing, in vivid black and white, the reality of sailing around the world on the Peking - including a Cape storm. h/t to Powerline for finding this remarkable record.


In the old days, going to sea was like going to war. Men died. John doesn't like the Captain's narration, but I love it. Sounds like he's from VT or NH, that old-timey Robert Frost sound. (Nope, Hadley, MA. I know Hadley well.)


The Peking is currently berthed at South Street Seaport, NYC.


 

Posted by Bird Dog in History, Our Essays at 16:54 | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0)

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Astounding. As a kid, I read about his voyages on the Yankee and loved every page. Thanks, BD.
#1 Skookumchuk on 2009-04-13 17:18 (Reply)
Wikipedia says that you got the New England but not eastern Mass part right : Hadley in western Mass, north of Springfield.

The Globe obit of his wife also says Hadley, which supports my POV that for non-controversial issues, Wikipedia is not a bad source. Just check their documentation.
#2 Gringo on 2009-04-13 23:50 (Reply)
I liked his narration too. And the danger of the trade, the two trainees washed overboard on the return, what a different era that was and how impressively tough the guys were. Where the heck was OSHA, anyway? And I think running up seventeen stories of shrouds is pretty d*mn amazing in itself.
#3 chuck on 2009-04-14 03:09 (Reply)
Thanks for posting that. I remember seeing that many years ago at the Chicago Field Museum when an exhibit on the history of sailing was featured at that time. This movie stuck with me and seeing it again brought on not only nostalgia but a longing to be in the tradewinds myself. Time to break out the Patrick O'Brian again.
#4 doug l on 2009-04-14 09:49 (Reply)
FWIS: Also note that in the beginning seconds of the video he says he is from Hadley. Good comfortable accent.
#5 Gringo on 2009-04-14 10:31 (Reply)
C H Lightoller, second officer and highest ranking survivor of the Titanic, served his apprentiship as a 13 year old from Liverpool to San Francisco and back again. Also round the Horn. Boys as well as young men.
As they were told to go aloft. The first mate said, "grumble you may, go you must."
#6 Nigel Johnson on 2009-04-14 17:39 (Reply)
This link seems to have been take down -- is there any way you coul email me the video. My Dad used to be in the Navy and he would love to see this movie. Please let me know and thanks
#7 Christina Gagnon on 2010-03-12 15:03 (Reply)
I would love to watch Around the Horn the Wrong Way but it won't play. Any suggestions? Thank you,
#8 Susan on 2012-03-05 17:42 (Reply)

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