Category Archives: Sailing

History, Sailing, Security

This Day in History: Escape From Alcatraz

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It was fifty-years ago tonight, June 11, 1962, when convicted bank robbers Frank Lee Morris, Clarence Anglin and John Anglin disappeared from Alcatraz. They were never found.

It took them a year to create the escape route, disguise it and create the necessary tools. Soap and toilet-paper turned into decoys, air ducts became doorways, and rubber raincoats and plastic bags made a raft. On the night of the escape a ventilation shaft behind air ducts to their cells gave them a route to the roof. From there they climbed down a chimney on the outside of the building and then paddled their raft towards Marin. Mythbusters recreated the scene and tested the raft’s seaworthiness.

Morris is credited with devising the plan during his first year at the deteriorating facility. He had been sent to Alcatraz in 1960 on a sentence that would have ended in 1974. Instead, he escaped and it was closed by 1963.

History, Poetry, Sailing, Security

D-Day Message by General Eisenhower

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I have seen little or no mention in the security community threads today to one of the most noteworthy events in military history. As we twitter about this password breach or that malware scare, I wonder if any benefit would come to take a moment and reflect on past events of June 6th, 1944.

Take a listen or read the carefully phrased words of General Eisenhower at the start of D-Day, when the weather cleared the way for a landing:

Eisenhower
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

In the General’s back pocket was another carefully written speech, which fortunately was never needed…

Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone

Sailing, Security

2012 Delta Ditch Run – Nacra F20 Carbon Takes Line-Honors

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Results have not yet been posted but the June 2, 2012 Delta Ditch Run was a wild ride. The weather forecast was for sun and a stiff downwind breeze with flood tide. Everyone knew they were in for a fast race of 65 miles if they could just keep their shiny side down. Here’s the first video I’ve found posted. It’s from Twisted, a Farr 40 (PHRF 0), during the early minutes of the Division A start.

Nearly half-way through the race even big, experienced boats in Division A showed signs of trouble. I watched Tiburon, a Santa Cruz 37 (PHRF 27) spin out-of-control. We were in a dual with them on gibes until they botched one and ran aground on a shoal during a twisted-kite broach (“broadie” as some like to say). Fortunately they managed to free themselves as they spun and flipped back with a spectacular second broach. Then, unable to get their kite down, they were dragged hard aground in 3-foot deep water as they fought a third and final broach.

Meanwhile, Double Trouble, a J-125 (PHRF -12), who should have been far ahead of us instead was now trying to catch up. They appeared to be making good time with the giant puffs yet under mainsail alone. Someone pointed out it looked like they had been reduced to just Single Trouble. Conditions were tough in the monohulls, to say the least.

Preliminary results indicate that Bruce Edwards and Eric Willis took first-to-finish honors on a Melvin & Morrelli 2009 design called the Nacra F20 Carbon. Here’s an “official” video of the boat:

I see at least two important points to be made about this boat and its result in the race.

  1. You should sail a catamaran, even in the Bay: Bruce and Eric are extremely talented racers with a lot of experience in local heavy-air conditions on skiffs and the A-Class Catamaran. Line honors couldn’t go to a nicer team. But it is important to note they are not professional sailors. They both hold full-time jobs and this is a new boat to them. Given that conditions in the race were close to survival-level in terms of difficulty — gusts over 30 knts, confused and often steep waves, shallow and narrow channels with hidden shoals and several hours of gibes — they proved that catamaran sailing is a reasonable platform even for amateurs in the Bay Area. Compare their performance, for example, to the sad sight of a fleet of dismasted Melges 20 (five reported). The monohull fleet not only faced damage and disaster but the amateur Melges 20 (PHRF 111) sailors must be seriously concerned about all their upcoming events on the Bay. I wonder if any of them are saying “I could have had a Nacra F20 Carbon! (and for half the cost)”
  2. The forefront of sailing innovation and performance is with catamarans: The America’s Cup 2013 technology and research investment in sailing is clearly trickling down to designs of all sizes. With that in mind more catamarans have been appearing in the Bay Area than ever before and more up-and-coming sailors are showing interest in cats. Just a few years ago I used to get odd looks from professional sailors and campaign owners when I would bring up the Tornado or A-Class, yet today they are the ones who seem to be bringing the latest two-hull designs to the water first. Can you believe there are a pair of matching catamarans, one red and one blue, in the Pegasus compound? And how about finding a new Nacra F20 Carbon for sale by the Oracle team after just a few trials in San Francisco? The attention of the high-performance sailing community and sponsors is shifting quickly to two hulls and, given successes like the Delta Ditch Run, is likely to have an effect on the Bay Area for years ahead. Of course the Delta Ditch Run has been won by a small fleet of catamarans since forever but the big difference is now we have inexpensive boats designed for amateur fleets (F18 and F20), which offer owners the chance to enjoy some of the best ideas and equipment in sailing, and that provide experience directly relevant to moving up to an Olympic campaign or professional career in sailing.

Update: Results have been posted. The Nacra F20c (originally listed as PHRF -81, now TCF Texel 1.124) was officially first to finish at 15:18:11 (Elapsed 04:18:11, Corrected 06:37:57).

Big congratulations to Melvin & Morrelli on the design and to Bruce Edwards and Eric Willis for their win! As much as I truly love sailing a Tornado (a timeless design) and the A-Cat (a development class), I have to admit I can’t wait to be out on a Nacra F20 Carbon…