Eric And Susan Hiscock

[silver-fox]

I recently was saddened to see a paragragh in the YM 100th aniversary edition mentioning that Eric Hiscocks widow, Susan had died some years ago.

That got me thinking, as the last I had heard of the Hiscocks, prior to this, was that Eric was virtually blind, New Zealand based but carrying on with his voyaging accompanied by Susan.

I have been unable to find any reference to his obituary on the Net at all . Can anybody fill in the gaps and tell me when and where he died - and if he ever did retire from cruising?

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Hi,

In 1992/3 I had the good fortune to sail on Wanderer V - Eric Hiscocks last boat - out in Australia - it was owned by a Kiwi family at the time.

I believe they said that Eric Hiscock died on Wanderer V (or at least was living on it still when he died) - and I have a recollection that it was based up around teh Bay of Islands in NZ at the time.

So I guess no - he never really retired from crusining - just took ita little more gently !

Lovely boat - and to read his books about why he designed it that way whilst actually on board was a definite privilege.

 

[ironmaiden]

"The Hiscocks" a sad loss, I will be for ever in their debt for the the inspiration and excitment I gained from their voyaging.

 

[stephenh]

Susan moved ashore - Yarmouth IOW - died a few years ago and left her (their) money to the RNLI - I believe there is a life boat bearing their names ??

 

[hannahman]

I believe Eric Hiscock did indeed die aboard his Wanderer V.

As Stephen says, Susan Hiscock did move ashore to Yarmouth IOW. She lived next door to a relative of mine, and they enjoyed some rather more sedate sailing than Susan would have been used to, in the lovely little Yarmouth Scows up the River Yar.
The new (2001) Severn class Yarmouth Lifeboat was indeed named the 'Eric and Susan Hiscock'.

Doug

 

[longjohnsadler]

Apologise for not being able to add to the query, but have recently read 'Around the world in Wanderer 111' by Eric Hiscock - an amazing book. Sailing boats don't change that much but the navigation used by the Hiscocks in the 1950s was either sextant or the stars.
Travelling inside the barrier reef to the east of Australia, the weather was bad enough to make navigation dificult, and if they ran aground on the many reefs or islands there were salt water crocodiles or sharks.
Not sure wether to recommend the book to prospective world-girdlers or not...

 

[winship]

Eric crossed the Bar in Whangerei..cannot remember correct spelling....hospital of lung cancer but he and Susan were still living at that time aboard Wanderer on a mooring off Dick Macalvrides property in the Bay of Islands. Susan eventually decided to return to U.K even though she had N.Z residency. Having also been inspired to circumnavigate by his books but at a slower pace, I was pleased to occupy the same mooring not long after Wanderer. A different era from Blue Water rallies.

 

[Ships_Cat]

I believe that you have it correct. Susan Hiscock, if I recall correctly, continued living on board Wanderer V in Bay of Islands, NZ until it became impractical for her to continue doing so.

I don't know where Wanderer V is now but Wanderer IV was based in Nelson, NZ for many years (I first saw her there in 1996) and was for sale for a long period. While in Nelson a couple of years ago I was told she was still there but could not see her in the marina. Last time in Nelson earlier this year, while I did not specifically look for her I did not notice her either.

Wanderer III is, of course, still around and have been a number of magazine articles (including in one of the YBW mags a few years back I think) on her most recent cruises (including circumnavigation).

John

 

[Rabbie]

I met a lady at the 2001 IFOS at Portsmouth who told me she was a friend of Susan Hiscocks. When Susan died she left this lady her last boat in her estate. It is still in Yarmouth as far as I know.

 

[silver-fox]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate you filling in the gaps for me.

Clearly there is a lot of us that have a very soft spot for the Hiscocks and their achievements. I first read Cruising and then Voyaging Under Sail as a teenager and was both inspired and educated by them.

Something must have stayed with me because 30 years later the house is sold and SWMBO and I are just a few months from setting off on a leisurely glob trot ourselves.

In preparation I dusted off the books and re-read them. Still brilliant!

Still can't believe that I can't find Eric's or Susan's Obituary though! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[tugboat]

If you have access to a YM archive ,Susan wrote an article in issue 983 of July 1988 in which she describes being on board after Eric's death and how she took Wanderer V sailing on her own. I only have a couple dozen YMs and reading your post reminded me of that article. If you can't find it, PM me your email address and I'll see if I can send you a readable copy.