TASMAN RACE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1930, Page 7

TASMAN RACE

STAUNCH AUSTRALIAN YACHT FIRST ENTRANT. A FORTY-THREE-FOOT YAWL. MELBOURNE, October 1. „ Now that the start of the hazardous pioneer ocean yacht race from Queen, scliu, Melbourne, to New Zealand is barely twelve weeks off, a wave of criticism raised in Sydney and Melbourne a.s to the safety of the exploit has quickened public excitement in both .States, Yatchmen are divided in opinions. Some hold it ;,s suicidal; others ins.st that it is as safe as a coastal cruise.

Captain F. J. Bennell, owner-skipper of the Victorian yacht Oimara, challenger in the race, is confident of success. His carefully selected and very eager crew share his confidence. A fearless type, he has perfect faith in his little craft, has a rare fund of experience at sea, and is determined to sail the Tasman. He is an energettic sportman and possess a keen sense of responsibility. So far Canterbury’s entrant has not been named. The yacht Spumedrift lias been mentioned as a likely entrantifi'Om New South Wales. Even if there were no competitors, Oimara would probably sail tho monotonous course. A GOOD PERFORMER. All plans for Oimara’s departure being well in hand, Captain Bennell set sail ten days ago for Sydney to assist in ending arrangements there for the entry of a yacht to carry New South Wales’s colours High winds roared outside the heads, and the Oimara rode for the shelter of a cove. So far .she has not reached Sydney, but is expected to putin there at the end of this week. Heavy south-westerly squalls tore at the yacht hut she demonstrated her Seaworthiness by riding big following and breaking seas splendidly. A head-on gale has been delaying her passage ; yet she has not shipped a cup of water. Criticism commenced when Oimara became overdue. Her performance, in spite of foul weather is generally considered to be a first-class answer to it. Racing across the Bass Strait last Christmas Oimara went through one of the worst storm in 20 years. Even -then she did not ship water below the waterline or displace a piece of timber, although she carried full sail the whole of the time. Other competitors were forced to heave-to or make for port. AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT. A layman would consider the Oimara absurdly small for any such effort as contemplated by Captain Bennell. She is 9 tons, 43 ft. length overall, and 13ft beam. Built at Launceston, Tasmania, ten years ago, she is yawl rigger (jibs staysail, mainsail, mizen and main and mizzen topsails). A man oft. 2in. tall can stand upright in her cabin, which is fitted with five comfortable bunks.

More than £2OOO has been spent on Oimara. Her engineroom, which is partitioned off from the cabin holds one of the most powerful engines in any pleasure craft in Australia. It is a 60 h.p. Diesel and was specially installed for the Tasman race .The price exceeded £6OO. Sufficient food can be stored to last a crew of eight for three months without touching at any port. Enough oil fuel can be held by the special tanks to last 1000 miles at fop speed. Wireless will be fitted, and it is possible an operator will be included in the crew. THE VESSEL’S COMPLEMENT. Professionally, it would be difficult to find a more oddly-assorted crew than that which will be aboard Oimara when she sails for New Zealand. Captain Bennell will he master, his son, Mr F. S. Bennell, will be mate, and his cousin, Mr S. B. Bennell, an engineer will be engineer. Captain H. Symonds, a profesional seaman, will act as navigator, and Dr J. Bell Ferguson and Mr N. S. Monks, a journalist, will be A.B.’s. With.fair .weather they will be at least fourteen days voyaging the 1300 miles of wild sea.

To perform successfully the perilous feat of taking the 50ft., yacht Seaweed across the Atlantic Ocean from London and bringing it safely to Port Melboiirne, via Panama, is to the credit o'f Captain Symoiids. He accomplished that ill 1923. Dr Ferguson came to Victoria from England about four years ago. He is recognised as one of the foremost authorities in the world on tuberculosis, and is employed by the State Government being in charge of all the tuberculosis sanatoria in Victoria. Mr Monks is a journalist with experience as an A.B. and a stoker. With the exception of Captain Symonds, all are amateurs, but each lias spent many years with flying foam and green seas. Oimara will be a picturesque spectacle under full canvas. • A new set of sails has been made for the race, including a large squaresail which will almost give her the effect of a brigantine.

A trained and critical eye having sized her up, this is what Captain D. McCormack, master mariner and retired pilot, thinks of her: ‘Barring accidents the Oimara is fit for an even longer voyage than from Melbourne to New Zealand. For her size She is as good a seaboat as I have ever set foot on. My lifetime lias been spent at sea.”