We are a few days late, but our hearty congratulations to Jessica Watson on her safe arrival back in Sydney harbor last Saturday.
Old Salt Blog
a virtual port of call for all those who love the sea , hosted by nautical novelist Rick Spilman
We are a few days late, but our hearty congratulations to Jessica Watson on her safe arrival back in Sydney harbor last Saturday.
I’m trying to imagine a crowd of that size showing up when a US sailor returns to Annapolis or Newport after a remarkable sailing feat, and I can’t. I also can’t imagine our president showing up to give a congratulatory speech. There’s a definite difference between a maritime nation and one that isn’t. Australia evidently is one, and the US used to be too, but ceased to be some time ago (1857? 1866? 1919? maybe 1945?). Pick your favorite date!
The closest comparable reception that comes to mind was the crowd of 200,000 or more who turned out for Francis Chichester when he completed his circumnavigation in 1967 or thereabouts.
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