EdWingfield
Well-Known Member
We had a boatload of folk, which included plenty of muscle. That turned out to be a good thing due to the predicament – I will explain.
The f5/6 was too strong for the dinghies, so we sailed the 6M from Holy Island to the Farne Islands in the yacht. A well sheltered anchorage was selected tucked behind West Wamses on clean sand. (the bottom is clearly visible to 5m)
Sandwiches and beer done, it was time to raise anchor. The electric windlass at that time was out of order, but due to the manpower aboard this did not present a problem. After starting the engine I asked Tim to go forward and haul up the anchor, I would nudge the boat forward on engine to ease the strain.
After a while, those of us in the cockpit realised that Tim was struggling, so I asked David to assist. He duly took place behind Tim on the chain..... Now more alert to the situation I saw that the chain was now vertical and coming in at a very slow rate. I joined the team on the foredeck, who by now were uttering words that gentlemen should not!
What gradually emerged from the depths was a boulder, perfectly cupped in the ‘cradle’ of the Bruce anchor. By inches, the $astard was brought to the surface and the chain made fast. (I assure readers that my description of that rock is mild compared to the language of the foredeck) I went aft to fetch the boathook and with some effort it was dislodged and sent back to the depths.
Now, reassured that our cardio-vascular systems were in reasonable shape, we returned to Holy Island.
The f5/6 was too strong for the dinghies, so we sailed the 6M from Holy Island to the Farne Islands in the yacht. A well sheltered anchorage was selected tucked behind West Wamses on clean sand. (the bottom is clearly visible to 5m)
Sandwiches and beer done, it was time to raise anchor. The electric windlass at that time was out of order, but due to the manpower aboard this did not present a problem. After starting the engine I asked Tim to go forward and haul up the anchor, I would nudge the boat forward on engine to ease the strain.
After a while, those of us in the cockpit realised that Tim was struggling, so I asked David to assist. He duly took place behind Tim on the chain..... Now more alert to the situation I saw that the chain was now vertical and coming in at a very slow rate. I joined the team on the foredeck, who by now were uttering words that gentlemen should not!
What gradually emerged from the depths was a boulder, perfectly cupped in the ‘cradle’ of the Bruce anchor. By inches, the $astard was brought to the surface and the chain made fast. (I assure readers that my description of that rock is mild compared to the language of the foredeck) I went aft to fetch the boathook and with some effort it was dislodged and sent back to the depths.
Now, reassured that our cardio-vascular systems were in reasonable shape, we returned to Holy Island.
