Club Night Talk: Voyages of the ‘Liberdade’ 1888 & 2000

An illustrated presentation by Mike Austin of the story of Joshua Slocum who built the “Liberdade” when he was shipwrecked in southern Brazil and later became the first man to circumnavigate the world alone in the “Spray”. Then Mike tells the story of David Sinnett-Jones who circumnavigated the world in a copy of Joshua's “Spray”, and later built the “Liberdade”. Finally, he relates how David and Mike retraced the voyage of the “Liberdade” from Paranaguá, Brazil to New York, including nineteen days single-handed from Antigua to Norfolk VA.

Mike was raised in Surfers Paradise, Australia before coming to England to complete his schooling. In 1960, he gained his parachute wings and served four years in the Special Forces TA. He gained a cadetship at the College of Air Training in Hamble, graduated as a Commercial Pilot in 1964, and began a 33 year career with BEA and British Airways.

Mike has sailed well over 55,000 miles and has participated in the Sydney-Hobart race, BT Global Challenge and three trans-Atlantic crossings. He lives in Port Solent where he keeps his yacht “Up To Speed”, a Dehler 35. He also enjoys time on the water aboard his canal boat.

Followed by Club Supper, which can be booked in advance at the reduced price of £14.50

BOOK

Main course

Fish pie steamed butter vegetable

Dessert

Eton mess

Vegetarian

(Could you please let us know by 7.00pm)

Spiced chickpea and sweet potato grilled vegetables, herb polenta, and tomato salsa