David Lewis (adventurer)

[3] With the announcement in 1960 of the first single-handed trans-Atlantic yacht race (from Plymouth, UK to the US East Coast), Lewis decided to enter in a small 25-foot boat.Following a series of accidents, including a dismasting shortly after leaving, he finished third (Francis Chichester came first), as described in his book The Ship Would Not Travel Due West.The title of the former plays on We the Tikopia, a classic study by New Zealand anthropologst Raymond Firth of a tiny South Pacific island of that name, whose Polyesian inhabitants are gifted navigators.Facing treacherous conditions in the Southern Ocean after departing, Lewis was not heard from for 13 weeks but eventually managed to sail the Ice Bird to the Antarctic Peninsula under a jury rig after dismasting.[7] After returning eight months later, Lewis left Palmer station to complete the voyage, but that very same day was caught in a heavy ice field and had to be towed to open water by the R.V.[8] After the Ice Bird voyage, Lewis was involved in setting up the Oceanic Research Foundation with the aim of sending private expeditions to the Antarctic.In a 17.4-metre (57 ft) Alan Payne designed steel yacht named "Solo" with seven other crew, Lewis made a summer expedition to Antarctica and wintered over there, 1977–78.
Ice Bird trials off Palmer Station, 1973
PlymouthTin Can Bay, QueenslandsailoradventurerPolynesian cultureWe, the NavigatorsRarotongaUniversity of LeedsNational Health Servicesingle-handed trans-Atlantic yacht racedismastingcatamaranStrait of MagellanCape of Good Hopemultihullstellar navigationcompasssextantmarine chronometerPolyesian navigationMicronesian navigationAustralian National UniversityPacific IslandersHipourRaymond Firthtiny South Pacific island of that namete lapaCaroline IslandsSanta Cruz IslandsPuluwatTarawaGilbert IslandsSatawalPolynesian Voyaging SocietyHokule'aPolynesian navigationalPolynesian outlierTaumakoAntarcticaPalmer StationCalypsoJacques CousteauCape TownPowerhouse Museum2001 Queen's Birthday HonoursDistinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of MeritCelestial navigationPolynesian navigationWe the Navigators: The Ancient art of Landfinding in the PacificUniversity of Hawaii PressNational Geographic