LOG OF THE VANITY.
Hobart Mercury Saturday April 5 1913
Left moorings Sandy Bay at 10.15 p.m. Thursday March 20, with W.F.
Darling as skipper, and crew consisting of G. S. Crisp, R. Young, jun., E. A. Brooke and E. F. Lord, after half an hour’s strenuous struggling with the dunnage and tucker. Wind light northerly.
Jibed several times in the run to the Blinker, where the mainbrace, which had slackened up considerably was spliced. The time-honoured Easter Bun also helped to fill up a cavity. Had Crayfish Point abeam at 11.45 where the skipper, Crisp and Brusky took first watch be-low. A motor boat, probably the Rondon, passed to starboard. Wind freshened, N. to N.E. and passed Pigeon Holes at 1.30 a.m. At 1.45 ss Koomela abeam, bound for Point Arthur; then we opened up Iron Pot light. Skipper and Co. still hors de combat below. 1.55 skipper came on deck to view proceedings. 2 am passed the Pot; ss Cartela met and passed us, bound for Hobart. Wind freshening N.,
Skipper struggled with the primus with a fair amount of perseverance, etc. (chiefly etc.). At last he was rewarded and we partook of a cup of hot coffee. Reached Dunalley at 5 a.m. where we passed Curlew and anchored near Rondon and Coverdale’s yawl. Passed through the canal at 8 a.m. in tow of Rondon, and later on took Coverdale in tow. Had a good run through Blackman’ s Bay. Rondon parted company with us outside the entrance and after the usual wishings of good luck, we sailed for the south end of Maria Island. Curlew went south for a bit of fishing, while Coverdale kept us company for a few miles. Tied up to kelp of the Boy in the Boat for some fishing but not much luck so we cast off at 12.30 p.m.. to take advantage of a steady S. E. breeze for Schouten. Off north end of Maria at 2.30 where Coverdale was at anchor. Passed close to Seal Rock where we had a fine view of the seals. Russ declares he shot one; that the bullet went right through him, but didn’t do any damage. However, he demonstrated his ability as a marksman by shooting a cormorant. Certainly a fine shot; at least Russ was so proud he wouldn’t let us forget the incident. Had a good run up to Schouten Passage where we found Rondon and dropped our pick alongside at 6 p.m. Tea was served in the form of a stew a la Fairlie II, which all concerned pronounced excellent. Ran a seine at night with a fair amount of luck, then turned into Blanket Bay.
Saturday. — Sailed over to Briant’s Corner and anchored. Carried the dinghy over to the creek, where we had some bream fishing. Came back with five, and set the net off the point, and secured seven fine silver trumpeter. Dished up some for tea. Crip incidentally trying his foot when the Rondon came alongside. Wind freshened from N. to N.W., with the scud travelling very fast and low. Had a fine view of the eclipse of the moon, and after putting in two reefs, and with the second anchor out, retired for the night. Next morning we were up and away at 6 a.m. under double-reefed main and second jib, with wind fresh N.W. Fine passage. Shook out reef and were off Maria Island at 9.30 a.m. Good run to Chinaman’s Bay where we anchored inside the jetty at 11 a.m. Pulled the dinghy up on the beach and walked over to Half Moon Bay. Lordy went duck shooting (?) and missed the surf bathing (and incidentally the ducks), which the others indulged in. On the walk back a heavy S.W. rain squall set in, which drenched us to the skin, and beyond, Crip being the exception as with his usual felicity of thought he took an oilskin. Brusky showed his pedestrianic abilities by running for the dinghy and pulling over to the yacht, while the others walked around. It was rather a cold water lot which crept on board the Vanity, consequently the mainbrace suffered slightly. Coverdale put in from Half Moon Bay, where he had been fishing. However, weighed anchor and got across to S.W. corner of the bay where we lit a fire to dry our clothes. Tea over, a quiet smoke; then turned in.
Monday.—Up anchor at 9 a.m.; wind, S. to S.W. Our first beat to windward of the trip. Worked right along Marion Bay and anchored off the cliffs at 1 p.m. and caught some crayfish. The fishing boat Lady Brassey was also there, and Skipper Button came aboard and yarned. Got away 3.30 and tied up to kelp off the reef, and had good sport with the cod, perch, and rock-trumpeter (!). Castoff at 5 p.m. to pick up Brusky, who had gone for the nets, and entered Blackman’s Bay at 6 p.m. Wind, light S.E., which fell afterwards, so we dropped the pick for the night in the bay.
Tuesday. —9 a.m. saw the mud-hook on deck; wind, light N. to N.E. Passed through the canal against a strong tide at 11 a.m., and anchored alongside Curley, by the jetty. Made an adjournment to replenish our provision lockers, etc., and at 1.30 p.m. left for home, with Commodore Douglas aboard. Met and passed the Breone, and had a fine N.E. breeze to Slopen Island, 3 p.m., and Betsy Island 4.20, where the fowling-piece was brought into action; but, as usual, nothing resulted. Rounded the Iron Pot light at 4.45 p.m. with due eclat, and tea was served off Opossum Bay. Wind fell light northerly, which broke our, until then, record passage. SSs. Reemere, Cartela, and Togo passed us off the Blinker, where we picked up a fine northerly with slight rain. Made a short hitch out of Sandy Bay, and then a long leg to the moorings, which we picked up as the Post Office clock chimed 8 p.m. Landed the Commodore and went ashore, after having had as good a trip as one could wish, and very firmly convinced of the all-round qualities of the one-design yachts.