In 1970 I was 16-years-old, living in Philadelphia. I was crew for Henry Wise. That year I helped ferry the Marluva up from Gibson Island to Newport RI in time for the Bermuda Race. From the Chesapeake Bay all the way up to Newport; it was the best broad reach of my whole life. Perfectly trim the entire trip, the seas never once broke above her lower rail.
We arrived in Newport in time to watch the 12-meters tuning up. I actually got onboard the Heritage. I also got to meet Ted Turner, who was up to campaign the Courageous. I was in Newport for 3-days, helping Mr. Wise get the Marluva ready for the Bermuda Race.
The Marluva was a wonderful boat. I believe she still had her wooden mast in 1970. She was so fast, quick, and light on her feet. She had a cast iron heater in the main cabin, just aft of the head, that would warm the whole boat. She replaced the Chance, which Mr. Wise had received as a wedding present. During a historic storm where many boats were lost, the Chance got hung up on a reef within sight of the lights of Bermuda. Mr. Wise had been down below, and saw the reef take out her starboard side. The Chance hung to the top of that reef until the crew was safely rescued the next morning.
Great stories.
The last I had heard -- and I cannot verify this story -- about the Marluva, the owner had tried to get her under a lowering draw bridge on the wrong tide. Broke the aluminum mast and practically drove it through the mast step. And that was that.
