Colros found

[lindajabo]

Thank you all of you, those familiar and those who haven't spoken before, for your words of support and comfort. For this does help, amidst the excruciating pain of losing a loved one. And we know that the words come from the heart of each and every one of you.

God Bless, Linda.

 

[jonic]

David......fair winds in "the other place".

Glass will be raised tonight.

 

[Talbot]

A sad end, but he was doing what he loved, and who can ask any more than that! My utmost sympathy to you all. I am sorry that we were unable to do more.

 

[CPD]

[ QUOTE ]

We draw enormous comfort from the fact that David was happy living his dream when he left us.
Barbara

[/ QUOTE ]

Barbara,
Clearly a very very sad end, and I am sure all our thoughts are with you and David's family. I never knew David, but anyone who makes the dream happen must have been very happy, content, and maybe have reached a stage in life that perhaps not many of us will ever reach. As you say, I am sure that gives you at least some comfort at this time. In many ways perhaps, a very lucky man.
Best Wishes,
Alan.

 

[Barbara1116]

I've said it before but I have to say it again: your responses are so heartfelt and very moving. As a PS, I wanted to post this wonderful poem by Dylan Thomas:

And death shall have no dominion.
Dead men naked they shall be one
With the man in the wind and the west moon;
When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone,
They shall have stars at elbow and foot;
Though they go mad they shall be sane,
Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.

And death shall have no dominion.
Under the windings of the sea
They lying long shall not die windily;
Twisting on racks when sinews give way,
Strapped to a wheel, yet they shall not break;
Faith in their hands shall snap in two,
And the unicorn evils run them through;
Split all ends up they shan't crack;
And death shall have no dominion.

And death shall have no dominion.
No more may gulls cry at their ears
Or waves break loud on the seashores;
Where blew a flower may a flower no more
Lift its head to the blows of the rain;
Though they be mad and dead as nails,
Heads of the characters hammer through daisies;
Break in the sun till the sun breaks down,
And death shall have no dominion.

 

[Chrissie]

hello Barbara,
I am so sorry to hear your news that David was no longer on board his boat, I too share the sentiments that he was following his dream, something most of us never get to do. I hope that it might give a little comfort to his family and friends.
Thank you for your update, it must have been so difficult to write. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Kind regards
Chrissie

 

[tringkeith]

As a true landlubber, I’ve not posted here before, but feel that I cannot let David pass without a few plain words.

I have known David as a brother in law and, I believe, as a friend for thirty years. His sisters and I have seen him through all of life’s ups and downs, and there have been many. David was a dreamer to the end, when he found fitting in with “conventional society” difficult, he made his own society. He was brave enough to walk away when things didn’t feel right, and strong enough to be there when he was needed the most. I, personally rejoice in the fact that at the end of his life he was on a high (thanks to Barbara), and was able to live his lifelong dream on the sea, at least for a while. Like most people who have known and loved him, I will cherish David’s memory and envy his freedom and vitality.

Heartfelt thanks from all of the family to all of you here who have been such a strong support to us during this tragic time.

Keith

 

[Bajansailor]

Thank you everybody for your very kind, thoughtful and uplifting comments above. I had heard this news earlier, but when I read Gin's comment about shedding a tear I must admit that I lost it as well then.
A very sad ending to what should have been a wonderful voyage for David.

I have forwarded on the information received so far to various ham radio and SSB nets, including Herb's Net - Herb has just pointed out to me that the position stated (600 miles SW of the Azores) where Colros was reported to have been found does not tie in with the distance drifted (420 miles) from the last logged position off Lisbon.

It is possible that the quoted distance drifted should have been more like 1,420 miles which sounds more plausible - however all we can do now is wait until we obtain a definite lat / long position from the crew of the yacht who found Colros.
Hopefully this will be supplied by the Authorities in England by tomorrow.

 

[bluemoves]

Not plain words Keith, but fine words and true. I too will always cherish David’s memory and the happy times we spent together. A friend of his from his schooldays said recently, “The problem with knowing David is that he is so special we only get a share of him for a short while.”
David was so excited when he eventually found Colros, and the huge smile on his face when we sailed her back from Salcombe was a joy to see. He knew he had chosen well and knowing that Colros is out there now confirms that he was right.
He worked so hard and carefully re-building his “sturdy little boat” so that it was ready for all that might happen on this voyage.
An avid reader and conversationalist David would often tell stories of other sailors and what befell them. On one occasion we discussed Helen Tew, who in her nineties crossed the Atlantic. In her book about her voyage, “Transatlantic At Last”, she wrote: "Don't listen to the pessimists. Whatever you want to do, someone will tell you, you can't. It's too difficult or too dangerous; you're either too young or too old. In fact, the time is never right unless you make it so. My advice, therefore, is simple: just get on and do it."
If David could speak to us, I feel he would still agree with her words. He wanted to go off sailing before he grew too old, didn’t want to spend his last years incapacitated.
Yes he lived his dream and we shall all miss him so much.

And with slight alterations to a verse from Tennyson:

And the stately ship goes on,
To its haven under the hill;
But O for the touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still!

Thank you all so much Forumites. Yes, your words have made us weep, yet been such a strength.
Margaret

 

[Topcat47]

It's sad to hear of the parting of a fellow sailor, however it is clear he was much loved. It is closure of a sort, I suppose. I hope Colros comes to land in one piece.

 

[AlJones]

"David,

You sail the sea's we'll all get to see
You're there before us all,
See us safe, when our time comes,
By hail or light or call.

I'll spare a thought, next dusk at sea
As I settle for my watch,
Cause I have a friend out there with me,
the Skipper of Colros.

We all stand tall, with glass held high
And salute you with a tear,
Sail on my Friend to deeper blues
You have nothing left to fear."

Bless you Barbara and bless you Linda, please pass on our thoughts to all the family and friends.



Al & Tina.

 

[lindajabo]

Thank you Al & Tina. Many posting have brought tears to my eyes. I found your poem particularly moving. It's a wonderful image.

Linda x

 

[davidmarks7]

Hello,
I am one of the crew aboard the yacht that found the colros last week. I want to express my deepest condolences to Mr. Cartwrights family and friends. This was my first Atlantic crossing and its one that i will remember for the rest of my life. I really wish we were able to tow the colros to port, but unfortunately it wasnt an option at the time. Again deepest sypathies to all
sincerely
david marks

 

[Bajansailor]

Thank you David for your kind words above.
I have sent you a private message (PM) - you should see a flashing symbol at the top left to indicate that there is a note in your mailbox.

 

[Barbara1116]

Dear David,

Thanks for being part of finding Colros and giving us some answers after five months of agonizing silence. Thanks too for finding this Forum and for posting your message. I would like to thank you personally. Please send me a private message and let me know how I can contact you.

I know everyone who loves David will be grateful to you and your shipmates,

Barbara

 

[suzyhomemaker]

Hi everyone,

As have many others, I have been following the saga of Colros and David and have never posted here. Barbara is a dear friend of mine and, as you have all probably ascertained from your communications with her, she is such a wonderful, warm, interesting, vibrant woman...an outstanding mother and a true friend. As you all know, this has been an unbelievably difficult time and process for Barbara. Even though I know Barbara, herself, has thanked all of you, I'd like to tell you, personally, how amazing all of you in this boating community have been during all of this. Your posts and efforts and thoughts have blown Barbara away, and me, too. I grew up by the sea, am incredibly drawn to it, and spent many a summer on my father's boat. Maybe my love for the sea has something to do with the caliber of people who are also drawn to it.

Barb, I must say that when I read your e-mail about Colros being found and David not being on board, I knew it wasn't promising for David to be found, but I didn't truly realize the gravity of what it most likely means...until I read all the posts from this community. Ever the optimist, I suppose. There are no words, really...or I'm at a loss for them at the moment...to truly convey the depths of my sadness for your loss. I do hope that Colros's being found will give you some closure and inner peace. Someone mentioned in their post that David leaving the world whilst living his dream will inspire them to do the same. I think that's a beautiful sentiment--and a plan. Barb, Margaret, Linda, Julia, and all of David's friends and family, I am so sorry this is the outcome, and I am so sorry for your loss. I never got the chance to meet David, but I feel as though I know him a little through Barbara and all that's been written about him here.

Thank you to everyone here for all the support you've given Barbara. You are a very special group. Barb, I love you, and I'm here if you need anything.

*raises glass* Here's to David.

Susan

 

[BrendanS]

I don't have the gift of words you clearly have, so I can only echo you sentiments. Glasses raised here.

 

[Sixpence]

Hi Susan and welcome , maybe your post will give Lurker Lynn ( sorry Lynn , but you do have something to contribute despite your protestations ) a bit of a nudge to persuade her and others to join in .
I feel very deeply for Barbara and all those in the family for thier loss as Barbara knows from our e mails , though I have to admit that the chances of finding , and saving Colros , are to be brutal , slim , it would be such a blessing for the family of David if it was possible

 

[suzyhomemaker]

Thank you, Brendan. Cheers.

Susan

 

[suzyhomemaker]

Thank you for the warm welcome, Trevera. I'm deeply saddened, though, by your odds of finding/salvaging Colros, as I do think that finding her and returning his possessions to Barbara and the family would help their closure tremendously. On the other hand, before David embarked on his journey, Barbara and I talked at length about the downsizing one must do to live on a boat. As a lifelong pack rat in the midst of a major clutter clearing, there's another part of me that finds incredible irony, peace and symbolism in the idea of Colros and her/David's possessions drifting along in the vast expanse of the sea. Perhaps that's how it's meant to be? Or am I just trying to find some happy symbolism in this darkest of times? Hmmm.