A SEA ROMANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1930, Page 6

A SEA ROMANCE

SPANISH PROFESSOR’S i

AMBITION.

TEN-TON YACHT WHICH CROSSED

ATLANTIC

GIBRALTAR, September 30.

After an adventurous voyage across the Atlantic, which took exactly 59 days, Mr Enrique Blanco, Professor of Spanish at the University of lowa, arrived at Gibraltar on Tuesday, September 9, in his ten-ton yacht Evalu. ''Mr Blanco was born at Barcelona, Spain, in 1881, and migrated to the United States 22 years ago, working his passage in the) Spanish sailing ship \Xala. He became a naturalised American subject, and in 1911 joined the American Army. He married Miss Mary Rader, of Coloinbus, and has a seven-year-old daughter Evalu (the yacht is named after her), both oi whom accompany him on his trip. Two things made up the ambition of his life, the first a craving for knowledge, the second the sea. He graduated in Wisconsin University, and in 1922 obtained the professorship of Spanish in that university, subsequently transferring to the University of lowa in the same capacity, a post which, as already stated, he now holds. His other ambition, the sea, was now his only thought, and this, backed up by the desire of visiting his parents in Spain, made him conceive the idea of crossing the pond in the novel way in which he has. He bought his little craft at Boston, and, having obtained a year’s leave of absence, set sail from this port on July 12, being seen off by a regiment of friends, pressmen and photographers.

Buffeted by Gales. The Evalu weighs 10 tons, is 37ft long, 12ft beam and 6ft draught, schooner rigged and carrying no engines. It carried a two months’ supply of provisions, mainly consisting of canned meat, dried fruit, biscuits, cocoa, etc., and 200 gallons of water. ,The weather conditions for the first few days were good, but off the Grand Banks, Newfoundland, a terrific storm raged, which the Evalu stood bravely. Mr and Mrs Blanco felt none the worse for this, but little Evalu suffered continuously from seasickness. This was, however, overcome after a time, afid Mr Blanco now proudly boasts that his reliance on the services of his little sailor girl is unbounded. She enlivens the long, dreary nights with her singing of American carols, and her main duties are the washing up of plates, dishes, etc. When 75 miles off Newfoundland, the weather was calm, but the cold was so intense that Mr Blanco decided to steer ;south. Heavy seas were; met 500 miles east of the Grand Banks, and a heavy gale overtook them when 300 miles off the Azores, for which place they were now heading. After 41 days at sea “battling with the continuous inclement weather, Ponta Delgrade in the- island of 1 Miguel, Azores, was reached, and there the Evalu met with a most cordial and rousing welcome. A stay of five days was made there, which time was employed in refitting and reprovisioning. The inhabitants made a great fuss of Mr. Blanco and his crew, and overburdened them * with, presents, mainly provisions, which were most welcome. The Evalu left Ponta Delgrada on August 26, and notwithstanding the desire of all to reach their goal, they were sad at heart at ..the many friends they were leaving behind. ' Encounter With Huge Shark. Weather conditions were good until off Cape St. Vincent, where adverse winds were encountered, followed by dead calms, kept the Evalu marooned for over, six days. Sharks of enormous size were met when navigating the Azores Islands, an unusually big one being met when off Fayal, which made for the boat, shaking it throughout and bringing it near to capsizing. Numerous scars could easily be seen on the shark’s back, and as it continued its vicious jabs at the boat, Mr Blanco had to stave it off with a boathook, the shark quickly disappearing, leaving a long blood-stained trail behind. Gibraltar was reached on the morning of September 9. Mr Blanco acted as navigator, manned the sails, and. did; the heavy work, while Mrs Blanco shared the watches of four hours with her husband. When after storms the crew was exhausted, the -boat was hove-to, and made to keep her bows to sea and steer herself. All would then go below to rest.

Hours of meals were, breakfast 8 a.m., dinner 12.30 p.m., and supper 6 p.m. One petroleum stove and one coal stove* were ustfd for cooking (when this was possible). Mr Blanco was most enthusiastic over his adventures, and got highly excited when recounting the trials he 'had gone through and which now seem a dream to him. He is looking forward to a reunion with his parents (now at Meliila, Morocco) after an absence of over 22 years, and intends, after staying in that port for five or six weeks, to proceed to Barcelona, his birthplace. He further intends visiting Mediterranean ports in 'his yacht during the coming winter, eventually returning to the States via Gibraltar by the same means, but taking a more southerly course.—(N.A.N.A.)