Never Fear
Page 35
Francis’s funeral at St Andrew’s Church, Plymouth
Sir Francis was never content with second-best, he strove for ever greater achievements. That he succeeded is his finest testimony … All through his life Sir Francis had tested himself against the strongest forces he knew: the wind, the air and the ever-shifting sea … Those who sail alone acquire characteristics of their own, in their movements, reactions and timing. Solitude sometimes breeds remoteness. But Sir Francis was a kind, warm-hearted man, who always maintained his own integrity and perfectionism … When he visited me at Chequers a week or two before his last voyage, I wondered how he could ever survive it. Or did he too perhaps realise that his long series of voyages might end in his own boat, in which he had triumphed so often? … Above all, he always respected his adversary, the sea … Sir Francis was unsurpassed as a navigator, an indomitable sailor and a superb example to the youth of this country … He was one of our country’s great men.
Looking back from here, it seems that it was when the mourners left the Abbey that tough old Francis, cussed old Francis, faithful old Francis, mission accomplished old Francis really died. He was a man’s man, a twentieth century man, a particular breed of Empire Englishman, the last page of the last edition of Boy’s Own heroism man. The untried world he conquered is no more. He was lucky enough to be born into a world with feats still left unclaimed and we are lucky enough to have him as the last link into that disappearing world.
Francis and Sheila side by side at St Peters Church, Shirwell
It’s been exhausting keeping up with Francis these last three years. I will miss him and his madcap dreams and schemes; I will miss Sheila too, even though I can hear her telling me not to be so silly.
NOTES:
18. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has won the Chichester Trophy twice since, in 1994 and 2007.
19. When they were deposed by the Sandinistas in 1979 the Somozas were judged to be worth US$1billion.
20. Funnily enough, I am writing these words at 40,000 feet over the International Date Line from San Francisco to Auckland to research Chapter 3, thereby losing a Tuesday.
INDEX
Locators with ‘n.’ refer to information in the notes, those in italics relate to photos and illustrations. Subheadings for entries of major races and voyages, and for aircraft and vessels used are in chronological order.
Adastral House, London 1, 2
Air Ministry 1, 2, 3
Air Publications 1, 2
Along the Clipper Way, Chichester 1, 2
Arlington Court, Devon 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Astor, David 1
astronavigation 1, 2, 3
Australia see Sydney, Australia
Avro Avian (aircraft) 1, 2, 3
Barnes, L. ‘Kelly’ 1, 2, 3
Bartlett, Captain, ‘Bart’ 1, 2
Beaulieu River, moorings on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
beekeeping 1, 2
Belmont House see Ellerslie House, Barnstaple
Belvedere Hotel, Sydney 1, 2, 3
Bima, Indonesia 1
Blakiston, Muriel (wife) 1, 2, 3
Blue Mountain, New Zealand 1, 2
Bolt, George 1, 2, 3
Brackley, Herbert G. 1
Brasher, Chris 1, 2, 3, 4
Britain, yachting industry in 1
broaching 1, 2
Brooklands 1, 2 Brooklands School of Flying 1, 2, 3
Bruce, Erroll 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Buckler’s Hard, Hampshire 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
bullying, during youth 1, 2 see also schools
businesses 1, 2, 3 Goodwin & Chichester Land Agents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Goodwin Chichester Aviation Co. 1, 2, 3
Camper & Nicholson, Gosport 1, 2, 3, 4
cannibalism 1, 2
Cap Horn (sailing boat) 1, 2
Cape Horn, Chile 1, 2
Cape Race, Newfoundland 1
Cardinal Vertue (sailing boat) 1, 2
charts Ocean Routing 1
presented to Buckler’s Hard Maritime Museum 1, 2
for Tasman Sea crossing 1, 2, 3
see also maps
Chichester, Angela (great-niece) 1, 2, 3
Chichester, Barbara (sister) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Chichester, Cecily (sister) 1, 2
Chichester, Charles (father) 1, 2, 3, 4 ancestry of 1
strict nature of 1, 2, 3, 4
Chichester, Emily (mother) 1, 2, 3, 4
Chichester, Sir Francis ancestry of 1
aviation career 1, 2
flying lessons and practice 1, 2 Brooklands School of Flying 1, 2, 3
seaplanes 1, 2
see also London to Sydney Solo Flight (1929); New Zealand to London solo flight (1931); New Zealand to London flight (Puss Moth)
as Chairman (The Sunday Times Golden Globe Race) 1, 2, 3, 4
childhood 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
see also schools
death and burial 1, 2, 3
emigration to New Zealand 1
returns to (1930/31) 1, 2
returns to, with Sheila (1937) 1, 2
engagement and marriage, to Sheila 1, 2, 3
fame, dislike of 1, 2
media ‘intrusion’ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
health 1, 2
arthritis 1
exhaustion after circumnavigation 1, 2
in hospital after Japanese crash 1, 2 recuperation in Devon 1
injuries 1, 2, 3
lung cancer 1, 2 hydrotherapy for 1
return of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
RAF, turned down for 1
tooth repair, at sea 1
knighting ceremony 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
meeting Sheila 1
navigation skills of 1, 2
on Circumnavigation 1
on Tasman Sea crossing 1, 2, 3
on Transatlantic Solo race 1, 2, 3, 4
used in WWII, by Air Ministry 1, 2, 3
romantic ‘affairs’ 1, 2
sailing career see Circumnavigation Solo Sail (1966); Transatlantic Crossings
Chichester, George (son) 1, 2 cared for by Francis & Sheila 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
later life and death 1, 2, 3
Chichester, Giles (son) 1, 2, 3, 4 birth and christening of 1, 2
childhood 1, 2, 3
early sailing experiences 1, 2, 3
knighting ceremony, attendance at 1
Chichester, Sir Jamie 1, 2
Chichester, John (brother) 1, 2, 3
Chichester, Muriel (1st wife) 1, 2
Chichester, Rosalie (aunt) 1, 2, 3 see also Arlington Court, Devon
Chichester, Sheila (wife) 1 art and design skills 1, 421
character 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
childhood 1, 2, 3
early adult life 1
emigration to New Zealand, with Francis 1, 2
engagement and marriage 1, 2, 3
knighting ceremony 1, 2, 3, 4
planning of 1, 2, 3
meeting Francis 1
natural healing, interest in 1
blessing of Gipsy Moth III 1
blessing of Gipsy Moth IV 1
taking charge of Francis’ health 1, 2, 3, 4
sailing, support of, for Francis 1, 2, 3, 4
as media relations 1, 2, 3, 4
during circumnavigation 1, 2, 3
experiences sailing 1, 2, 3, 4
in transatlantic races 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Christian Science movement 1
Circumnavigation Solo Sail (1966) 1, 2 start of 1
down to Roaring Forties 1
Roaring Forties to Sydney 1, 2
stopover in Sydney 1
repair of Gipsy Moth IV 1, 2
Francis urged to discontinue 1
Sydney to Cape Horn 1, 2
rounding Cape Horn 1, 2
Cape Horn to Plymouth 1, 2
media interest in 1, 2
see also Gipsy Moth IV
Clark, Robert 1, 2
Clayton, Rev. Philip ‘Tubby’ 1, 2, 3
clipper ships 1, 2, 3
Cochrane, Ralph 1, 2
Colville, Sir Richard 1, 2, 3, 4
Correa, Dr Luis 1
Craven, Sheila see Chichester, Sheila (wife)
Crowhurst, Donald 1, 2, 3
Curly the Navigator, Chichester 1
Cutty Sark 1, 2
Dalton, Grant (Wing Commander, NZAF) 1, 2
Dalton, Grant 1
de Havilland DH.60 Moth 1, 2 see also Gipsy Moth biplanes, engine
de Havilland DH.80 A Puss Moth 1, 2
de Havilland, Geoffrey 1
de Havilland, Hereward (D.H.) 1, 2
dead reckoning 1, 2, 3
Dignam, Phil 1, 2, 3
Dobo, Indonesia 1, 2
Drake, Sir Francis 1, 2, 3, 424
Dulverton, Frederick Anthony Hamilton ‘Tony’ Wills, 2nd Baron, Lord 1, 2, 3 financial backing for Francis 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Duke of 1, 2, 3
Eira (sailing boat) 1, 2, 3 see also Howells, Valentine
Elijah (Gipsy Moth G-AAKK) 1 purchase and first flight of 1, 2
crashes in 1, 2, 3
flight practice in
around Europe 1
landings 1, 2
repairs and maintenance to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
plans for circumnavigation in 1
conversion to seaplane 1, 2
see also Madame Elijah
see also London to Sydney Solo Flight (1929)
Elizabeth II, Queen 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Ellerslie House, Barnstaple 1, 2, 3, 4
England, aviation in 1
Enton Hall, Godalming 1, 2, 3
Europe, ‘trial spin’ around 1
Falkland Islands 1
Fifties, Furious 1
Fishermans Cottage, Marlborough 1, 2
Florence Edith (sailing boat) 1, 2 see also Gipsy Moth II
Forties, Roaring 1, 2, 3, 4
‘Fortress’, RAF Coastal Command Boeing B17 (aircraft) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
France, yachting industry in 1 Yacht Club de France 1
France II (weather ship) 1, 2, 3
Francis Chichester Ltd. (map business) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Friend, David 1
Furious Fifties 1
Gibbons, David 1
Gibson, Bob 1, 2, 3, 4
Golden Globe Race, The Sunday Times (1967) 1
Goodwin & Chichester Land Agents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Goodwin Chichester Aviation Co. 1, 2, 3
Goodwin, Geoffrey 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Goodwin & Chichester Land Agents 1, 2, 3, 4
Goodwin Chichester Aviation Co. 1, 2, 3
Goodwin, Harold 1
Great Circle Route (Plymouth to New York) 1, 2, 3
Greenwich, London 1 see also knighting ceremony
Griffin (sailing boat) 1, 2
Grindey, Bill 1, 2, 3
Guardian (newspaper) 1, 2, 3, 4
Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN) 1, 2
Guinea-Bissau 1, 2
Gipsy Moth biplanes development of 1, 2, 3
engine 1, 2
flying 1, 2
front seat 1, 2
instruments 1, 2, 3, 4
rudder 1
used in knighting ceremony 1
Gipsy Moth G-AAKK see Elijah (Gipsy Moth G-AAKK); Madame Elijah
Gipsy Moth II 1, 2, 3 as Florence Edith 1, 2
races 1, 2, 3, 4
attempted sale of 1
Gipsy Moth III 1 design and build of 1, 2, 3, 4
radio technology 1
specifications 1, 2
see also ‘Miranda’ (self-steering system)
blessing of 1
in Transatlantic race
start of 1, 2, 3
sails 1, 2
log books for 1, 2, 3
radio message from 1
finish and win 1, 2, 3, 4
return journey, New York to Plymouth 1
redesign for 2nd Transatlantic Solo Race 1, 2
life after Francis 1, 2
Gipsy Moth IV design and build of 1, 2
launch of 1, 2, 3
blessing of Gipsy Moth IV 1
re-design and re-launch of 1, 2
problems and faults, at sea 1, 2
broaching 1, 2
changing course, to Freemantle 1
repair in Sydney 1, 2 3
leaving Sydney 1, 2
capsize of, in Tasman Sea 1
Plymouth to London 1, 2, 3, 4
knighting ceremony 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
royal visit to 1
life after Francis 1, 2
see also Circumnavigation Solo Sail (1966)
Gipsy Moth V 1 design and build of 1
speed of 1, 2
capsizes and leaks, in the Azores 1
problems with radio 1, 2
see also Transatlantic Crossings, Guinea-Bissau to Nicaragua (1970); Transatlantic Crossing, Single-Handed Transatlantic Race (OSTAR) (1972)
Gipsy Moth Circles the World, Chichester 1, 2, 3
Gipsy Moth Trust 1
‘Half Crown Club’ 1
Hasler, Herbert G. ‘Blondie’ 1, 2n., 3 organisation of Transatlantic Race 1, 2, 3, 4
participation in Transatlantic Race 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
see also Jester (sailing boat)
Hayashi-san 1, 2, 3
Hayes, Michael 1
Heath, Sir Edward 1
Henry Hughes & Son, Hainault 1, 2, 3
Herrick, Frank 1
Hinkler, Bert 1, 2, 3, 4
HMAS Albatross 1, 2
HMS Eagle 1
HMS Protector 1
HMS Salisbury 1
HMS Worcester 1
Hogg, Reverend Douglas Martin 1, 2
Holmes, Ned 1
Hood, Warwick 1
Howells, Valentine 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Humphries, Jack 1
icebergs 1, 2
Illingworth, John 1, 2, 3, 4
Imperial Airways 1, 2
Issit, Len 1
Japan 1, 2, 3 Katsuura 1
Jester (sailing boat) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
jigsaw puzzles 1
Johnson, Amy 1, 2
Johnston Memorial Trophy 1
Kennedy, John F. (President) 1
King, Joe 1
Kirklington Hall, Nottinghamshire 1, 2, 3
knighting ceremony 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Knox-Johnston, Sir Robin 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6n.
landing aircraft 1, 2, 3, 4 Elijah 1, 2
at sea 1
Layman, C. B. ‘Kit’ 1
Le Marchant, Piers 1, 2, 3
Lecombe, Jean 1, 2, 3, 4
Lefteria (sailing boat) 1
Lewis, Dr. David 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
‘Liberator’, RAF Coastal Command B-24 (aircraft) 1, 2, 3, 4
Lindbergh, Charles 1
Lively Lady (sailing boat) 1
London to Sydney Solo Flight (1929) 1 preparation for 1
taking off, from Croydon 1
crossing the Alps 1
crash in Tripoli 1
through Africa and Asia 1, 2
Timor Sea crossing 1, 2
crossing Australia 1
see also Elijah (Gipsy Moth G-AAKK)
Lonely Sea and the Sky, The, Chichester 1, 2
Lopez, President 1, 2
Lord Howe Island, Australia 1 arrival on 1, 2
Francis’ stay on 1, 2
finding Sydney from 1
MacArthur, Dame Ellen 1, 2
macro-navigation 1
Madame Elijah 1 conversion of Elijah into seaplane 1, 2
flight from New Zealand to Australia 1, 2, 3, 4,
damage to
on Norfolk Island 1
on Lord Howe Island 1, 2, 3, 4
repairs and maintenance to
on Norfolk Island 1
on Lord Howe Island 1, 2, 3
in Sydney 1
crashes in Katsuura 1, 2
see also New Zealand to London solo flight (1931)
Mait II (sailing boat) 1, 2
Mansion House, London 1, 2
, 3
maps Tasman Sea 1
map business (Francis Chichester Ltd.) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
see also charts; navigation
Marconi Communications 1
Marlborough College, Wiltshire 1, 2, 3
Martin family, of Norfolk Island 1, 2, 3
Martin family, of Buckler’s Head 1, 2
Mattei, Dr. Jean 1, 2, 3
media ‘intrusion’ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Miles Magister (aircraft) 1, 2, 3
‘Milky Way’, Cape Horn 1
‘Miranda’ (self-steering system) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 redesign for 2nd Transatlantic Race 1
model boats 1, 2
Moitessier, Bernard 1, 2
Montagu of Beaulieu, Belinda, Lady, Baroness 1, 2, 3, 4
Montagu of Beaulieu, Edward, Lord, 3rd Baron 1, 2, 3
nautical terms 1
navigation by air 1, 2
manuals for 1, 2
instruments for 1, 2, 3, 4
sextant 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
see also charts; maps
over sea 1, 2, 3
technology of 1, 2
see also Chichester, Sir Francis, navigation skills of
New Zealand 1, 2 aviation in 1
see also Tasman Sea crossing (Madame Elijah)