Author: ws lirakis

a sailor who carries a camera

ANOTHER SHIPMATE MEETS HIS MAKER

Mickey Spillane, longtime friend and shipmate was killed hang gliding in Brazil. We had sailed many miles together. I always enjoyed having Mickey aboard as he exuded calm. We last sailed together last summer in Newport for the six meter north american championships; we finished second. The group photo was aboard “Charisma” in 1973, we were part of the American Admiral’s Cup team. Bill Ficker was helmsman.  Culminating in a second overall in the Fastnet race, second to a sistership from Brazil.

We celebrated Mickey’s 30th wedding anniversary a few summers ago. He met his wife, Alice, when we were racing in Brazil.
 If you click on the link and scroll down to the video shot in Brazil at one of the spots for hang gliding.
We had been looking forward to seeing Mickey and Alice, who were due to return to Newport any day. I was already making plans for sailing with Mickey.

The First Earth Day

The First Earth Day, April 22, 1970. I had a girlfriend attending Radcliffe, so I spend more time in Cambridge than I might have otherwise done. These are photos at that event, at Soldier’s Field. The presence of the Hare Krishna, for me put into question the legitimacy of the day. I never argued the concept of higher consciousness, I could just never take them seriously.

more 1964

The color photos are courtesy of Dick Enersen, crew of “Constellation” in 1964. Each photo is a story in itself. Dick looking very young indeed under the Connie shed sign. The final photo of Eric Ritter the helmsman, who stepped aside in the interest of the boat, greeting Harry Morgan, head of the selection committee bringing the good news that “Constellation” has been selected to defend.
   The black and white photo I believe was taken on a day when most of the other 12 meters lost their masts.
     I would like to hear from more of the crews out there. Thankyou Dick.

Another look at the 1964 summer

Looking back from today’s perspective makes the gear and sails in particular look primitive. I is hard to imagine that the 12 meters of the era were the cutting edge of sailing.  Look at the boom vang in the earlier post. The mainsheet winch, practically the smallest winch on the boat for the largest sail; and four parts. Just think what that must have been like at the leeward mark.
    Hanks were still used on headsails. I believe an argument could be mounted defending hanks, tactically, look at the photo of the bow of “Constellation”, Buddy Bombard is standing in the forward hatch, a jib would be stopped and hoisted through this hatch; sheets attached, at a leeward mark, a boat could carry the spinnaker right to the mark, breaking out the genoa at the last possible moment.
     Wooden boats built to lloyd’s scantlings. Designers and builders did what they could to save weight. I would not be until 1974 when aluminum would be allowed and 1986 when the first fiberglass 12 meters came into being.
    Weather, was not much beyond the farmer’s almanac. Statics accumulated over time were the only analysis available.
    Ash blocks with bronze bearings were still common. Lines were still large and heavy. Change came slowly

America’s Cup 1964

      With each new challenge the design race increased. “Constellation” the newest Sparkman&Stephens design was only second best entering the August trails. “American Eagle” the Bill Luders design and build, was up  21 and zero, appearing unbeatable and in the difficult position of not having lost a race; not knowing what if anything to change.
       Eric Ridder stepped aside as skipper of “Connie”being replaced by Bob Bavier. Along with a few other changes and she went on to be selected to defend. Leaving Bill Cox the skipper of “American Eagle” stunned.
      The American trials were the highlight of the summer, the English challenger “Sovereign” was hopelessly outclassed.
     Olin Stephens, I believed, liked to make small incremental changes, As the season of 1967 would show; “Constellation” exhibited some of the genes that would become “Intrepid”.
       The energy and enthusiasm ratcheted up with each challenge. The world was emerging from World War II, coupled with that was the easing of Taxes on the rich. America was truly on top of the world; and feeling that way.
     There are more stories connected with the summer of 1964 and this challenge deserves more time.

The Pillars of Hercules

The Pillars of Hercules, created by Hercules when completing his tenth labor, to capture the oxen of Geryon. For the curious read the 10 labours of Hercules,
      Since I was very young I have enjoyed the Greek mythology; sailing through the straits of Gibraltar, was a sort of dream come true. Not unlike the W boats which are encountering diminishing wind as they enter the Mediterranean, we arrived with 25 knots at our back, sliding smoothly at 5 in the morning, and the wind died with the rising sun.