ACROSS THE PACIFIC

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1933, Page 8

ACROSS THE PACIFIC

SKIFF’S WONDER VOYAGE,

SAW BLADE AS SEXTANT.

SYDNEY, January 12.

Fred Rebelle, a. middle aged Latvian who was reported by table this week to have arrived at San Pedro, California, in an 18-foot skiff, the Elaine, left Sydney quietly on the last day of 1931 and lie had been almost forgotten by those who were aware of his plans, lie belle confided in few people, and When lie sailed out of Sydney Harbour nobody took any notice of him. ■ lieboile lived in Sydney .or 2Q. yea,rs and he was a well-known, figure 911 the waterfront. For . months he w.as -.busy making ship-shape-the, tiny craft ,that was destined to takc.-him on a lonely voyage across the Pacific. Actually he has planned to sail to his homeland, Riga being his actual dost,nation. He did not even clear the customs in Sydney, and when he passed out the heads the ’officers of the sigffinl station thought his boat was cu a fishing excursion. A bov accompanied Rebel'e on the early part of the trip, but he did not make the ocean crossing.

Rebelle crept up the New South Wales coast, and after some weeks he arrived at Brisbane. From Brisbane he commenced his’ J 'ong, - lone-hand crossing of the Pacific, and he was not heard of again tiil he furled his sail at Suva. He had no papers, but like an old sai.or he persuaded the port officials to grant his pratique. From Suva lie sailed on to Honolulu, “shoot-

ing” the sun with a sextant which he had made from -the blade of an old hacksaw. That, with the compass, comprised his stock of navigating instruments.

The Elaine is a very small craft with a cut-water bow, and is of a type'that can be handled very well by one man. Her cabin is tight and comfortable, and she i s fitted with a small engine. She is able to carry an ample supply of water.