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Cythera (yacht)

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Syndey Harbour, 1962
Sydney Harbour, 1962
History
malformed flag imageAustralia
NameCythera
OwnerPeter A. Fenton
Port of registrySydney. Lloyds Yacht Register VJZP 316113
BuilderPeter A. Fenton[1]
LaunchedMarch 17, 1962
Maiden voyageMarch 31, 1963
StatusLost
General characteristics
TypeKetch
Tonnage31.29 tons gross, 24.18 tons net and 26 tons Thames Measurement
Length43.2 feet
Beam12.5 feet
Draught7 feet

CYTHERA (pronounced "sigh-therra"), a 50 ft steel ketch, designed and built single-handedly by Peter A. Fenton, was the first subject of modern day piracy, in Australian history, setting legal precedent to laws in effect from 1858.

Background and Design

After being discharged from the Royal Navy and spending one cold winter back in England, Peter left for warmer climates, joined a group and arrived in Epo, Indonesia to run a tin mine, until the revolution (c.1945) when the Army marched in and said “tomorrow you go” and “tomorrow, they went” - destination Sydney c.1947.

In 1961, aged 37, he was married and decided he would build a boat and go sailing. Spent a year teaching himself about yacht design and started night school to learn welding, since his boat, once planned for wooden construction, was now changed to be built in steel, for strength. The renowned yacht designer, Alan Payne commented that it was a: "very hazardous undertaking to build of steel".[2]January 23, 1961 construction began in a rented lot in Paddington, below Sutherland Road.

1963 Maiden Voyage

March 17,1962 saw CYTHERA launched between Timber Wharves 1 & 2 at Walsh Bay (The Rocks), and the next year was spent building steel masts for the ketch (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, where the Fentons became members c. 1959, experts all said they would fall down in the first storm) but he carried on, and on March 31, 1963, Peter and family, with two crew members, Daniel Barrie, Derrick (Ricky) Brewin and a journalist friend, Charlie Schriber, departed on the maiden voyage to Lord Howe Island, en route to New Zealand.

Cythera Maiden Voyage
Departing Sydney, March 31, 1963

On the evening of April 10, 1963, having arrived at Lord Howe Island on April 7, all persons from CYTHERA were ashore for dinner. The two crew members, Daniel Barrie and Derrick (Ricky) Brewin, left early, cut the anchor chains and sailed away off the screen of the local radar station, headed for Rapa Iti and South America, where (at that time) there were no extradition treaties, should they be apprehended[3][4] with (at that time unknown to the owner) a 5 gallon container of grey paint and several navigational charts. (It took one gallon, to paint the topsides of the vessel). They renamed the vessel the "Jenny 2" and, according to the logbook: "Took the yacht away from mooring. As lives were in jeopardy including the Captain's wife and daughter. It is assumed the captain (Peter Fenton) is unbalanced. Our destination is unknown as yet".(***scan of pages from logbook***)

Route of Maiden Voyage

Marooned, with nothing but what they had on their persons, the Fenton family and Schriber, were generously accommodated at the island guest house, Fair Winds, until a Qantas flight for Sydney was available, April 13.[5]

At police headquarters, in Sydney, arrest warrants were sworn and extradition expenses guaranteed by Peter Fenton.

Upon return to Sydney, the Fentons were accommodated by family. Schriber returned to his home.

Sunday, April 14, authorities received a report that CYTHERA had been located on a private radar screen in Glen Innes, in northern New South Wales. A telegram confirming same was sent. Upon police investigation, it was found that the "radar station" was a piece of tin, on a pole, and the telegram a cruel hoax.[6]

Hoax telegram sent to Peter Fenton April 14, 1963

CYTHERA was missing for 7 days when, on April 17, the Administrator of Norfolk Island advised the authorities in Sydney that the yacht was in the area. The Norfolk Island Administrator was instructed to put a police officer aboard the freighter (there was only one police officer on the island, who was also the Administrator) "Colorado del Mar", to apprehend the thieves.[7]

The "Colorado del Mar" was an ancient 1025,000 pound (imperial) island freighter, making its scheduled supply run to Norfolk Island. The Island Administrator launch accompanied the freighter.

Since the yacht could manoeuvre more handily, the freighter resorted to pelting the the thieves with potatoes and bottles filled with water, (***newspaper scan of captain***)[8] in an effort to capture the vessel. Unsuccessful, the freighter rammed the yacht (1025,000 pounds vs. 22,000 pounds) amidships, on the starboard side...twice...this caused the thieves to jump overboard, fearing the yacht CYTHERA, would capsize. She didn't (due, in most part, to the fact that Peter Fenton, when filling the keel with ballast, selected to use a material almost as dense as lead but, pliable, thus, filling the keel and remaining stationary). They were apprehended by the launch.[9][10][11]

Cythera
View of ramming from the "Colorado Del Mar", Norfolk Island, April 1963
Cythera
Another view of ramming from the "Colorado Del Mar", Norfolk Island, April 1963
Cythera NI Pirates
Pirates apprehended, aboard Admiralty launch. April 17, 1963
Cythera Norfolk I
Damaged, moored to whale buoy, Cascade Bay, Norfolk Island, 1963
Cythera Norfolk I damaged2
Extended view of damage. Cascade Bay, Norfolk Island, 1963

The yacht was brought to Cascade Bay, Norfolk Island and thoroughly ransacked for any valuables. The radio was disabled and thus of no further use.[12][13] When the yacht was reported stolen, notices were posted for all ships and aircraft to be on the lookout and, only when located, could something be done, since Lord Howe Island is 500 mile NE of Sydney and Norfolk Island is a further 500 miles NE of Lord Howe Island. Both islands are under Australian jurisdiction.

Peter, Pat and two volunteers flew to Norfolk Island, accompanied by two police officers to extradite the ‘pirates’, the four returning to Sydney the same afternoon (at Fenton's expense).[14][15][16] The Fentons and volunteers remained on Norfolk Island to effect minor repairs and sail back to Sydney.[17] This necessitated reduced jury rig, due to damage to rigging and spreaders on both masts, along with the deckhouse windows being smashed in, with only a tarpaulin to keep out water and weather.

The weather was building, and it was imperative to leave Cascade Bay for survival, so CYTHERA, with damaged hull and masts, motored 150 miles before the tropical cyclone and low pressure system hit, and the ship drifted, lying ahull, for 5 days, until the system cleared and very restricted sail was raised. A week later, another tropical cyclone, low pressure system came through, lasting 4 days. Again, the yacht drifted, lying ahull, before a rough position was established. CYTHERA headed, once more, for Sydney. The northward drift was estimated at 250 miles.[18][19][20]

Decision was made that, if any aircraft was heard or sighted, a white flare would be fired to attract attention. An aircraft was detected and two white flares were fired, since the aircraft was in cloud. The aircraft was from the U.S. Aircraft Carrier "Coral Seas" (aptly named to be in the area) and the windows of the aircraft were tinted red, causing the white flares to appear red, resulting in a real emergency search. At 9:30 p.m., a Royal Australian Air Force Neptune Bomber,[21][22] with spotlights blazing, flew in at mast height and dropped sodium flares around CYTHERA.[23] The Norwegian freighter "Prinsdal" was instructed to identify and verify yacht and condition of crew. News broke that the missing ship was found. This news was heard on a small transistor radio on board.

CYTHERA powered away from the freighter for safety, then raised sail to proceed to Sydney, as instructed, but, apparently, was expected to arrive within hours and was again deemed to be "missing".[24][25]

Cythera departs Norfolk I
Departing Norfolk Island for Sydney, 1963

Midnight, Saturday May 11, CYTHERA confirmed position being off the Barrenjoey Light, approximately 20 miles north of Sydney. The remaining fuel was unknown but CYTHERA motored the remaining distance in a flat, oily swell, arriving at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia dock at 4:45 a.m., May 12.

Timeline

  • Sunday, March 31, 1963: Depart Sydney
    Cythera hull damage Sydney 1963
    Starboard gunwhale damage view. Sydney, 1963
    Cythera hull damage Sydney 1963
    View of hull damage. Sydney, 1963
  • Sunday, April 7, 1963: Anchor in lagoon, Lord Howe Island
  • Wednesday, April 10, 1963: CYTHERA stolen
  • Saturday, April 13, 1963: Fentons and Schriber return to Sydney
  • Wednesday, April 17, 1963: CYTHERA recovered
  • Saturday, April 20, 1963: Fentons, volunteer crew and police officers arrive in Norfolk Island
  • Monday, April 22, 1963: CYTHERA departs Norfolk Island for Sydney
  • Friday, May 10, 1963: Flares fired to overhead aircraft. Freighter "Prinsdal" alongside CYTHERA
  • Sunday, May 12, 1963: Docked at Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 4:45 a.m.

Within a week of arriving back in Sydney, Peter was served with a Writ for Salvage[26][27] by the owner of the "Colorado del Mar", which involved the owners of CYTHERA giving an undertaking in Court that the vessel would not be removed from the jurisdiction of the Courts, until 21 days after the final judgment in the case, tying the ship in port, for the Court's pleasure. The following week, CYTHERA was in dry dock, in Castlecrag, being repaired by her builder. The repairs continued for the next two years[28][29]


Lloyds of London, CYTHERA's insurers, insisted the Fentons defend this salvage suit, since this would set a legal precedent in the 20th century, the Fentons did not know at the time but, when the Judgment of Piracy was handed down, in 1963, Acts of Piracy, Acts of War, Acts of Insurrection and Acts of God were not covered by insurance. All the costs were incumbent on the Fentons.[30][31](***pdf of printed Judgment***)

Daniel Barrie and Derrick (Ricky) Brewin were convicted of Piracy and given four year sentences. Derrick Brewin appealed his four year sentence. Justice Herron described it as “less than he deserved” and “In another day and age you would have been described as a pirate and that is what you are. You would have been hanged at one time too.” They served two and a half years and were released before CYTHERA sailed in 1966.[32].(***newspaper scan of thieves***)

Second Voyage

In 1966, still determined to sail again, Peter advertised for ‘girl crew’, which prompted another police investigation, on the grounds that he was soliciting women. When the story of the boat theft by the male crew was considered once more, the police realised there was no solicitation involved, only safety. Cleared of any doubt, CYTHERA sailed, once more, east into the Pacific, with one man aboard as crew, destination Lord Howe Island, to retrieve the ground tackle jettisoned when the ship was stolen.

Cythera 2nd voyage 1966
Repaired, Rockhampton, 1966
Cythera Crew
Second voyage crew: Peter, Penelope, Pat. Rockhampton 1966

Two days out of Lord Howe Island, another cyclonic low pressure system built over Lord Howe Island and the pressure was so deep, the course was changed to Brisbane, Queensland, for safety. On entering the Brisbane River, CYTHERA received a police escort to their pier, where Peter was questioned about causing a publicity scam, since he hadn’t arrived in Lord Howe. Again, his decision was vindicated because the weather he avoided caused the loss of two vessels inside the reef at the island, and it was presumed that nothing would survive at sea, if caught in the depression.

Departure north for Papua New Guinea took CYTHERA to Gladstone and while anchored behind Heron Island, in more bad weather, raising the anchor created an accident for the crewman, Bob. Peter motored the ship to 90 miles West, to Rockhampton for the crewman’s hospital needs.

The continuing journey, from Rockhampton, was manned by the Fenton family, Peter, Pat and daughter Penelope.

The Australian cyclone season was spent in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. CYTHERA then headed for Durban, South Africa, via Christmas Island; Cocos Keeling; Mauritius and Réunion and was the first yacht of the season to arrive in Durban, South Africa in September, 1967.

Departed for the Virgin Islands in mid January, 1968, stopping in Port Elizabeth, East London, Mossel Bay and Cape Town, South Africa, continuing up the South Atlantic via St. Helena, Ascension and Fernando de Noronha Islands, then sighting the waters of the Amazon and making landfall in the Caribbean in Antigua - thence to St. Thomas, where she dropped anchor before hurricane season in 1968.

CYTHERA spent 20 years being home to Peter and Pat, while they made Marine Diesel Services their livelihood. Peter suffered a debilitating stroke in 1984, which virtually closed down his business and the ability to maintain his ship and she was sold and the Fentons moved to south west Florida. Peter died February 22, 2002.

The Present

CYTHERA’s new owner fitted her out for charter guests, and eventually took her to Venezuela for a total refit. After two years on the hard, CYTHERA’s next voyage was headed to Trinidad in December, 2003 (to meet Peter’s wife who was on a cruise ship, visiting) but the weather again forced a change of course for the new captain, and he headed to Jamaica.

A major breakdown in the steering system occurred. The new owner and crew stepped off, onto a container ship and CYTHERA was abandoned. After 10 days, she was located ashore on the Silver Shoals, south east of Kingston, Jamaica. The steel masts were smashed almost in half, the booms were torn off the masts, and she had been rammed and again, on the starboard side and the hull was damaged.

Déjà vu? It was 40 years to the month (March, 2004), since CYTHERA’s maiden voyage from Sydney and the damage was on the same side of the hull as the first ramming. The new owner sold the hulk to the fisherman who discovered her and walked away.

  • Tamam Shud.

Author's Note: I began working on this recollection in November, 2009. Without the able, patient, assistance of my Wikipedia Mentor, Stinging Swarm, I don't believe I would have been able to finish. Without the excellent memory of my Mother and her copious notes, there would have been many gaps. Reliving the experience, even 47 years later, has not been without trauma. The old memories brought with them the same anguish as when originally experienced. I post this, to honour the memory of my Father and all he accomplished. He was an extraordinary man.

Sources

  • Khayyam, O. The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: First and Fifth Editions, translated by Fitzgerald, E. Courier Dover Publications, 1990. ISBN 0 4862 646 7X.

References

  1. ^ "Sydney ship & boat builders". boatregister.net. Retrieved 8 March 2010.
  2. ^ http://www.sailingnetworks.com/organisation/view/9448
  3. ^ Staff writer (13 April 1963). "2 years–And Then . . ". St Petersburg Times, achived at Google News. St Petersburg, Florida. Retrieved 8 March 2010.
  4. ^ Staff writer (12 April 1963). "10 Year World Trip Is Ended In 11 Days". The Milwaukee Journal, archived at Google News. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Retrieved 8 March 2010.
  5. ^ Staff writer (14 April 1963). "Dream Yacht Gone Forever". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  6. ^ Staff writer (15 April 1963). "Girl Pines for Missing Pets". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  7. ^ Staff writer (17 April 1963). "Offer by Owner of Stolen Yacht". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  8. ^ Staff writer (18 April 1963). "Dramatic Sea Chase Ends in Capture". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  9. ^ Staff writer (18 April 1963). "Missing Yacht at Norfolk Island Two Arrested". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  10. ^ Staff writer (18 April 1963). "Dramatic Sea Chase Ends in Capture". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  11. ^ Staff writer (19 April 1963). "Two Remanded in Yacht Chase Case". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  12. ^ Staff writer (24 April 1963). "No Radio Contact with Cythera". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  13. ^ Staff writer (13 May 1963). "Radio Fault Plagued Yacht Crew". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  14. ^ Staff writer (19 April 1963). "Remands in Yacht Theft Case". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  15. ^ Staff writer (18 April 1963). "Missing Yacht at Norfolk Island". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  16. ^ Staff writer (24 April 1963). "Cythera Out of Contact". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  17. ^ Staff writer (22 April 1963). "Race To Fix Yacht Damaged In Chase". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  18. ^ Staff writer (10 May 1963). "Plane Fails To Find Cythera". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  19. ^ Staff writer (12 May 1963). "In Calm Near Coast". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  20. ^ Staff writer (23 April 1963). "Crippled Yacht Heads Into Rough Seas". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  21. ^ Staff writer (7 May 1963). "Neptunes To Seek Overdue Yacht". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  22. ^ Staff writer (9 May 1963). "Daylight Air Search For Yacht". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  23. ^ Staff writer (8 May 1963). "Search for Yacht by R.A.A.F. Planes". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  24. ^ Staff writer (3 May 1963). "Boat Search Swings to N.S.W. Coast". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  25. ^ Staff writer (12 May 1963). "Radio alert for SOS". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  26. ^ Staff writer (12 May 1963). "Claim Of £10,000 On Yacht". The Sydney Morning Herald, archived at Google News. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  27. ^ Staff writer (26 July 1963). "Writ for Salvage of Stolen Yacht". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  28. ^ Staff writer (24 April 1963). "Yacht Owner Tells of Battle". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  29. ^ "Admiralty Jurisdiction: Law and Practice in Australia, New Zealand". books.google.com. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  30. ^ Staff writer (9 March 1965). "Yacht Salvage Pays £1625". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  31. ^ Staff writer (24 April 1963). "Working Bloke". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  32. ^ Staff writer (15 October 1963). "Yacht Thief Told he is Pirate". The Age, archived at Google News. Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
Cythera Maiden Voyage
Departing Sydney, March 31, 1963
 thumb|upright|alt=Cythera| Barrie, left and Brewin, convicted pirates of yacht "Cythera", in custody, April 1963
thumb|upright|alt=Lord Howe I|Fenton family, stranded and distressed, Lord Howe Island Island, 1963
Log Book
Log Book page where Derrick (Ricky) Brewin suggests Captain Peter Fenton is unbalanced and his family in danger. April 10, 1963
Log Book
Log Book page where vessel name is changed to "Jenny 2". April 10, 1963
CytheraLogbookflares
Log Book page describing sighting of vessel and discharge of 3 white flares. May 9, 1963
CytheraLogbookflares
Log Book page describing sighting of aircraft, discharge of 2 white flares. Neptune Bomber drops flares and intercepted by Nowegian tanker “Prinsdal”.May 10, 1963
CytheraLogbooktoLHI1966
Log Book page describing weather and sailing conditions that caused the loss of two vessels. April 25, 1966
Cythera 2nd voyage 1966
Repaired, Rockhampton, 1966
Cythera Crew
Second voyage crew: Peter, Penelope, Pat. Rockhampton 1966
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