A GIRL IN SQUARE RIG. Four Months Before the Mast
London: Arlington Books, 1977. First edition. Hardcover. A true story of a young English girl who fulfilled her dream and gave up a normal office life in London to join the 1976 Tall Ships Rare. Ten thousand miles from Plymouth via the Canaries and Bermuda to New York and back again. Jenni sailed as a deck-hand on the square-rigger Phoenix, one of only two women at sea with twenty-five men for weeks on end. Phoenix was the only unsponsored, privately entered ship in the race--and the only square-rigger to complete the entire course. Her crew were international and all volunteers and, together with their twenty life chickens, they sailed with a vast armada of ships of all sizes to take part in the spectacular Parade of Sail on 4th July to celebrated America's Bicentenary. Written with great verve as well as humour, this book recounts the vicissitudes as well as the victories of that journey. It tells of the danger and terror, the practical jokes, the grim realities of cold and fear and the many discomforts of life aboard a brigantine. Packed with all the saltiness of a seaman's life. A thrilling modern adventure story for sailors and non-sailors alike. Illustrated. 203 pages. A near fine copy in a near fine dust jacket. Item #15190
ISBN: 0851402658
Price: $50.00