H. W. Tilman (1898–1977)

For those of us who ”cut our teeth” on Slocum, were brought up on Nelson and Drake – perhaps even trained by the navy – grew up “mucking about in boats”, reading and devouring everything we could lay our hands on from the pens of “MG”, Hiscock, Smeeton or even the Pardys, this is a most un-seaman-like account.

With just enough experience of my own sea-going and boating to react with horror and concern at the casualness of this mountain-climber turned sailor, I was not surprised that Tilman loses three ships in his endeavors – partly because of the seas and coasts he selects – those covered by ice.

I did take away from my reading a slight interest in the actual travel.… (meer)