These are posts that probably interest only me…. But since I have no other way of getting them out of my head (it can be dangerous to keep these things there) you’ll all have to endure….
I just finished re-reading "The Search for Joshua Slocum” (Teller – 1956). The book is more about “who” the man was personally vs. the mystery of his disappearance, but Teller does devote the last chapter to his thoughts on the disappearance.
A couple of interesting Herreshoff notes –
1. Slocum’s Family claimed that in preparation for the final voyage the SPRAY was refit by the HMCo. Teller’s research found this not to be true, but that Slocum appeared to be allowed to stay at the yard for three weeks or so – presumably allowed to do whatever work he wanted himself. By all reports NGH had a great amount of respect for Slocum as a seaman – not so much for SPRAY though (nor did any other NA of the time I know of).
2. Teller talks about whom was the last to see Slocum – and that LFH claimed that he was the last - as he spent the last hours talking with Slocum before casting off from HMCo. – but it appear also not true – as he probably tied up in VH overnight and that at least two local Fishing Boats reported seeing SPRAY beating into a severe gale between MV and Nantucket a day or so later. This is where Teller believed SPRAY met her fatal end - as by all reports SPRAY was in very bad shape and most likely couldn’t take the gale.
I wonder if LFH was the last person to speak with Slocum though?
Interesting that her wreck could possibly be so close to home in waters I know so well (I’ve run those waters for years as far as the canyons fishing).
OK, thread over….Back to real HMCo. stuff.
