Marinero News

Winter 2019-2020

David Stricker shared a yardarm photo. "Coming down from Beloit in early 1971, I served with a couple of the Kalamazoo guys, 'Dutch' Gerritson and Roger Conrad. The fourth was Guillermo Turnbull (though he used a different first name) and Joe Ruedi. I opted not to do the trip to Grenada that spring, which I believe embarked then for the South Pacific. I always had some reservations about my decision. Certainly, I also knew several of the other Beloiters who served. Fond, though distant memories. Always fun to see a new email in my "Romance" inbox.

Thanks Anne Warrington "Wretched Anne" for the early photos of the Romance and Marineros aboard in 1985. Onboard were the K's, Mike Jehle, Andrew Leyzack and Brian Donnelly. Always looking for good photos of the Kimberlys over the years, if you have any, please send them along. Can anyone identify the Marinero in the middle?

There was a photographer in Havana named Manuel Illa who made a tidy living taking pictures of all manner of ships and boats entering the Havana Channel, working from a studio at 62 Calle Cuba in La Habana Vieja. He took the photos, quickly developed and printed them in sizes ranging from postcards to large panoramics, and offered the images to passengers and crew.

I collect his work, dating from the late-1930's through the Korean War era, and have ocean liners, warships, freighters and others that strike my fancy. When this image of the Guinevere popped up on ebay, it did not take long to determine the significance of the Guinevere, and further digging revealed your moving tribute pages to Capt. Kimberly. I send these scans to you of a postcard dated November 4, 1946, mailed from St. George's, Bermuda with a message from your Skipper, as I thought you may enjoy seeing it and sharing it with your fellow Marineros.

Summer 2019

Beloit: John Richert, Michael Graff, Guy Hermann, David Stricker, Ken Bryant, Jim Webster, John Hansen, Jonathan Giddings, Bert Rogers, John Marvengenes, Reed Taylor, Ronn Winkler, Susan Morley, Chris Allen, Arthur Thexton, Tom Dudley, Link(?), Skip(?), Dave "Charlie" Brown, Paul Skagfeld, John Burton, Jeff Webb and Mark Nebel.

Kalamazoo: Rob Peterson, Clyde Sanadi, Greg Chandler, Roger Conrad, Michael Jehle, Owen Hardy, Jeroen "Dutch" Gerritsen, John Taylor, Ross Campbell, Larry "Ace" Goldberg, Mike Dodge, Jim Brink and Jim Chase.

All of the emails had great memories and recollections, well worth reading. You can see them on the Beloit or Kalamazoo page. Again, let me know if you can make corrections or identify individuals.

Winter 2018

A new page called the Kimberly Collection was recently added to the Romance webpage. It is dedicated to the artifacts that they collected over the years. Several people helped identify different items and a few interesting new stories were shared.

Adrian Loughborough recalled the early days when he and Bob Chambers were aboard for the initial voyage from Miami to the Virgin Islands after outfitting the below decks with cabins for guests.

"Romance had arrived in Miami from California after Skipper and Gloria purchased her. We found the 'Romance' tied up at Dodge Island (Port of Miami) as it was called in those days before cruise ships and container gantries. We parked our small motorcycles (having ridden them from Toronto, Canada to Miami) along side the 'Romance' for several weeks while the work was completed below. Then off we went to the Virgins and the beginning of my 50 year career at sea".

Bob Wallace shared his recollections about his own items purchased while aboard Romance. Seems that molas from the San Blas islands were a hit amongst the crew. The Kimberly Collection is open to participation. If you can send me any photos of items you have, along with a description and details of when and where you got it, please do!

Several email addresses got updated on our mailing list and information about past Marineros was also shared. Peter Damon shared Mary Tysver's obituary which can be viewed in LOST MARINEROS .

Summer 2018

Thanks to fresh funds from the documentary promotion, Matt can continue to work on the project. He has spear-headed this effort over the years and will be working to develop some of the promotional ideas shared by Marineros. Thanks Matt.

A recent email from Rebecca Mignano prompted an email list update. She shared, "My husband and I sailed in Romance on the second world voyage and attended the reunion in Michigan while Skipper and Mrs. K were still alive. We met on that voyage and have been married 36 years. Tom still works in the maritime industry. I really enjoyed the tribute to our shipmate Bert Rogers and the documentary intro on the Kimberlys. Keep up the great work! Becky

Owen Hardy wrote, "I found a travel company out of the UK which specializes in trips using classic sailing ships. Would be fun to have a Marinero reunion on one of these sailings".

Walt Haney reports that he is getting a few dozen slides of Romance from summers of 1966 (to Galapagos) and 1967 (sailing out of St. Thomas) scanned. If anyone wants copies, happy to pass em on. He is getting his farm in Westminster cleaned up and has three of four tractors working . . . .

I've added the link to the "Lost Marinero" page to the "Marineros & Guests" page. If you can update anything on those lists, please let me know.

Spring 2018

Much new information and many stories coming in. Thanks to Phil Lloyd for all of the interesting details about Marineros.

Clyde shared a letter from Carl Friberg in advance of their meeting with Skipper over lunch at Carl's home in 2007. Carl wrote:

Now consider this...to come eye-ball to eye-ball with someone who like myself at the time was just a tanker stiff...worse yet, a SOCONY stiff (Standard Oil always had that peculiar reputation ), and is now the embodiment of the dreams millions of men have had, but never achieved....playing life to suit one's self.

Arthur is a legend...more than that...an enigma. He pulled it off...gheeez, did he pull it off big time. Though he shared the latter part of the last century with the sailing/cruising crowd, and continues to this day... he himself lived his idea of the sailing past of wooden ships, and iron men. Unreal really. Imagine what Joseph Conrad could have done with his story... though a happy one for sure.

Whoever heard of Kimberly except those in the cruising/sailing crowd? Unlike Villiers who through his affiliation with the movie people was known by most "land" people....I never heard of him as he faded in, and out of my memory over the years. But Kimberly was for millions of men that ghost who haunted them with dreams of "getting away"... sailing away on their own ship - sail or otherwise. How do I face him?

Clyde also saved a .pdf of Carl's website dedicated to his visit to the Romance.

The Windship Way made a donation to help launch the campaign. So have Peter & Nicole Wholihan, Clyde Sanadi, Steve Hyman, "An Early Marinero", Phil Brotherton and several others. Thanks to everyone who shared postcards, posters, links and took the time to tell others about the documentary!

Winter 2017 - 2018

Adrian Loughborough found his photo of Romance's Cannon, you can see it on the Cannon page . Been hoping we could find a photo, it certainly generated a lot of good stories. Thanks Adrian!

Always great to hear from an early passenger aboard the Romance. This just in from Gary Merritt.

After watching the movie Hawaii and seeing an old friend I went web surfing. In my junior year of high school my family took a windjammer cruise on the Romance. It should have been the spring of 68. There was the Captain, Gloria, Adrian, Tim and David the south African. There was a double booking so my family got the forecastle and the Robins got the Captain's cabin. Somewhere there is photo of me in the foretop while the Romance was under full sail and heading to St. Croix. I was impressed when I saw the Captains Ticket and saw unlimited tonnage. What I admired most was on the last day coming in to the quay at Charlotte Amalia. About 3 miles out the engine dies and the other family needs to make a flight that afternoon. So Capt. K brings the Romance in under sail alone and ties up as nice as can be as if it were the easiest thing in the world.

Catching up on some news and recent Marinero contributions. Tad Donnan sent this article, written by Dan Moreland, for Sea History Magazine. Dan will be making his final world voyage aboard the Picton Castle in 2018. Read his article, "Around the World Under Squaresail" here.

Peter Wholihan sent this photo of a mini-Marinero gathering. Over Thanksgiving Holidays, Marineros: Adrian Loughborough, Jim Webster 60's, and Peter Wholihan 80's got together at the Southport Raw Bar in Ft. Lauderdale to swap stories and share memories of the Romance & Kimberlys. All last saw each other at Skipper's Memorial service. Jim Webster suggested that Marineros create other gatherings and post thoughts and pictures A Grand Time was had by all!

Clyde Sanadi posted a video last Fall of the National Maritime Historical Society honoring Marinero & Executive Director of Tall Ships America, Captain Bert Rogers. If you'd like to watch it, you can see it at here.

Fall - 2017

I've added the last few comments to the Cannon page along with the text from a 2004 email about another Brig ROMANCE. Wouldn't it be cool if that was the original source of the cannon?

Michael Graff sent along a short story "What does the Captain call you?"

Summer - 2017

The cannon inquiry brought in a lot of emails, including some additional Romance related materials.

Andrew Leyzack, '85-'86, sent this pen and ink drawing of the foc'sle scuttle.

Arthur Topilow, an early guest aboard Romance wrote:
I sailed as a tourist on the Romance in the BVI in 1968 (or 1969, not quite sure) Adrian Loughborough was the mate. I never saw a cannon. During that cruise Captain was planning his trip around the world and he asked me to go as a ship's doctor. I politely declined. The first is that I get seasick on the ocean and the second is that I had internship, residency, and fellowship planned for my medical career. On my return home, I bought a boat with my wedding money and have raced competitively ever since. Because the Romance kindled my interest in tall ships, I recently was a tourist for a week out of Athens on the "Sea Cloud," a magnificent four masted sailing ship, with over 30 sails, all set by hand. We had 58 tourists and 70 crew. It was the private yacht in the 1930s of Marjorie Merriwether Post and E.F. Hutton.
Ok to share my story,
All the best to you,
Arthur

6/30/17 - Just received this photo and an inquiry from Jamie Hayes:
"I'm writing today on a quest to solve a mystery. I collect cannons of age. Recently I have acquired a Bronze Cannon with the word ROMANCE engraved across the barrel. The source I purchased the cannon from suggested it was the Romance's mascot cannon. Intrigued, I found myself reading the entire story of the Kimberly's adventures. I'm speechless. There story of love of life needs to be a novel and shared with the world. It's obvious that they were special people and had a lasting effect on all they met during there adventure.

Back to my mystery. While reading this log of people who have been on the Romance it occurred to me that perhaps people have seen this cannon on the ship during their visit and could confirm what they know of the cannon. Any information like when did it arrive on the Romance? When did they have it engraved Romance? Where did they acquire it. If it indeed is from the Romance perhaps it deserves a spot in the story. When I acquired the cannon I found the barrel to be mounted on an incorrect carriage known as an slide carriage. After some research I found the correct carriage form and have since built one from pictures from the internet. The Cannon was built in Boston Ma. By W.M. Read & Sons and is so labeled. The barrel is 24' long and made of heavy Bronze. I have provided pictures of the cannon as I found it and fully restored to the builders design. Please notice the picture of the barrel alone shows the engraving ROMANCE. I realize its hard to see. I'm Hoping to find some help to confirm it's past. Any information would be so very welcome".

I've added aCannon page and posted your thoughts. If you have any photos or memories about the cannon, or the one used aboard the Romance, feel free to share, as many of you have.

Spring - 2017

Winter - 2016 - 2017

Thanks to Mark Colby for sending along this photo he took of the Romance! Really shows her beautiful lines.

In December, Phillipe MacClenahan stopped by the Windship Way. He was with the ROMANCE for a brief time in 1986.
He mentioned Andrew Lyczack and friends in his email.

Fall - 2015

Bob Wallace just got in touch. A great email reminiscing his early days before, during and after his time aboard. Read Bob's email.

Also heard from Ken Cohen, his first time visit to the Windship Way. He joined Romance in 1967 after a harrowing trip aboard the Ketch "Tumbleweed". Read Ken's email.

Fall - 2014

Thanks Peter Damon for sending me this great photo of the Kimberlys!

ROMANCE Documentary News:
If you haven't already heard, the ROMANCE documentary opening sequence has been completed. While there may be some tweaking, it is great to see it taking shape. If you'd like to watch it, you can see it at Documentary Opening. If this is a preview of things to come, the whole documentary should be great.

Hard to believe it has been a year since the last update on the Windship Way's "Marinero's News". Still get the occassional email from an early Marinero or passenger. Always interesting to read their stories........

Summer - 2013

A guest aboard the ROMANCE, Allison Toth wrote recently:
I believe it was the early 1980s when I was a guest on Romance. I was 20 years old and I was visiting my friend Hope Evans who taught elementary school at the catholic school on St. Thomas. My friend also worked at the Chart House restaurant where she got the notice that the Kimberly's were rounding up islanders to sail the BVI's for 3 days & $75. We jumped at the chance, left from Tortola on an adventure of a lifetime! 18 young folk in awe of the mariners, the Kimberly's, and the spectacular sailing panoramic views. All the rum punch we could consume and a bounty of food prepared by Ms. Kimberly. Captain would have the anchor lowered and let us swim to every shore we stopped at. Fascinating is the best word to describe the tour. I've never experienced anything like it since! Hail to the Kimberly's for showing us the "mariners" way!

Fall - 2012

Mark Colby writes:
I sailed with Capt. Kimberly and Gloria during the month of May, 1968 as a high school senior doing an Independent Study Project about "old time sailing". Wonderful experience. My father, Robert Colby was a shipmate and friend with Art Kimberly during WWII aboard tankers. Having grown up along the Maine coast, I never gave up the sea and now hold a 1600 Near Coastal license as well as a 100 ton Aux/Sail. Was asked to go to the Galapagos Islands and always have regretted my decision not to go. Too young I guess to appreciate what an adventure that would have been and how it may have shaped my life in a real way.
Best to you all, Mark Colby

---

Romance of the Seas
by Gloria Kimberly

This just in from Peter Wholihan:
Can you believe it has been a year since Skipper passed away? I had been working with him to get Gloria's book published. She never really finished it, but there are great stories throughout her first draft. We were able to get it into a pdf version, also got it copyrighted for Skipper. He wanted to share it with all the Marineros. I have run it by publishers and editors; all liked it, but agree it needs polishing. In speaking with Skipper's sister, Jane, we decided that it would suit Skipper wishes and Gloria too, just to get it out as is, so all can enjoy her work. Hopefully an upshot will be, that this will provide a fair wind, to get the book published. I gave Skipper a paperbound addition a few years back. Many times when I called, he would say, he was reading it. I would tell him, "I know those people." and he would answer, "No, you know those guys! They must have had a pretty good life."

Here is Gloria's book, for those that knew Skipper and Mrs. Kimberly.
Please enjoy her words and their gift to us all.

Romance of the Seas

Special Thanks to Dr. Elton Robertson, professor emeritus, Temple University for his volunteer assistance in making this a reality!

Spring - 2012

Steve Williams is looking for any information & stories that Marineros might have about their visit to Great Isaac Island lighthouse. He is working on a renovation project for the island and lighthouse and found Skipper's model when he did a search on the Internet. Also looking for any photos you might have that showed the lighthouse when you were there. You can reach him at 561-445-5664 in Highland Beach FL.

Chris Roche [Mariner@chrisroche.co.uk], from the Cape Horners organization is looking for details on Skipper's time aboard the Abraham Rydberg. He was supposed to have sent a story about it to South Africa. Can anyone shed light on that story? Any copies about? Chris is writing up that period for the Cape Horner Journal and would appreciate hearing from you.

Fall - 2011

Peter Wholihan wrote:
On Oct 8, 2011 there was a memorial service for Skipper. The service was well attended with many stories shared by those that knew Skipper well. Friends, Family, and Marineros from the Romance's first days, until her last, were there to fete Skipper in this send off. There were grand stories, songs, tributes of lives forever changed by Capt. Kimberly and plenty of memories relived at the memorial service and later at Merk's Bar & Grill (Skipper's Old Watering Hole) where food, drinks, and of course vitamin R in the Cruzan variety were imbibed along with all Skipper shared with us.

It was a grand send off, for a great man, who would have enjoyed being there (and he and his bride were certainly there in spirit), but who would have been a wee bit confused and embarrassed by all the hoopla. That is another of the many reasons he was so well loved and respected. We miss ya Skipper, thanks for the adventure!

Also heard from Owen Hardy, Peter Damon and Art Read in regards to Skipper's passing. Their comments are on Skipper's tribute page.

Laurie R. King's "Pirate King" was published this Fall and went on sale just before Capt. Kimberly passed away. Mrs. Kimberly was given credit for her great photograph of the Romance under sail.

Saturday, September 17th Some sad news from Peter Wholihan. Capt. Kimberly had taken ill over the past couple of weeks, and died this morning, Saturday Sept. 17th. For more about Skipper's passing, In Memory of Capt. Arthur Kimberly.

Thanks Jonathon for the interesting look back at life aboard Romance with Skipper....sans tennis time.

Summer - 2011
A Memorable Memorial Day and Reunion! 

The Marinero Reunion with Skipper aboard the Barque Picton Castle was a success. Skipper traveled to JVD (Jost Van Dyke) with his sister and her husband Jane & Russ Meyer. A film crew followed him over from St. Thomas and was able to capture most of the action, plus interviews with Marineros: Capt. Dan Moreland (ROMANCE 1973-77), Bert Rogers Exec. Director American Sailtraining Assoc. (ROMANCE 1979-81), Clyde Sanadi, Brigantine Associates (ROMANCE 1973-74), Jim Webster Mega-Yacht Broker (ROMANCE 1968), and Mike Jehle, Exec. Director Fairfield Museum and History Center (ROMANCE 1987).

Skipper waited on shore, as the Picton Castle sailed north of Tortola under full sail and into Great Harbor to anchor. He met Capt. Dan Moreland, as he came ashore at the BVI Customs dock. Soon after they retired to splice the main brace and get reacquainted. The Captain invited his old Skipper to visit his ship. Once aboard, Skipper seemed to shed 20 years, as he was an able seaman shipboard once again. Chief Mate Michael Moreland had the honor of showing off the Castle to Skipper. After his time aboard, Skipper invited the crew for a dinner celebration at Foxy's. Skipper sat at a quiet table off to the corner, as visitors: shipmates, old friends and new acquaintances visited with him one after the next.

Sir Foxy caught up with Skipper and related the story of how the captain blessed Foxy's first concrete floor with his footprint. As always, Foxy's hospitality did not disappoint and a good time was had by all well into the evening hours, during which time Marineros wandered down the beach to join the celebration from points beyond. The next day, was a full one aboard the Castle, with a reunion of friends, family, shipmates, and new introductions to the crew with Skipper. He made quick work of finding ways to keep himself out of the way. He spent most of the afternoon doing what he loves best, sailmaking, and teaching while doing. Tales long and short were told aboard, as old acquaintances were renewed and new ones developed.

Sunday was race day in Foxy's Wooden Boat Regatta. The Picton Castle had two small vessels: a long boat and a dory called A Sea Never Dry (www.doryshop.com) in the race. Many of the crew signed on with other local boats, some whom took a western tack, to White Bay to become winners, in the island way of enjoying life as it come. The Marineros watched this classic from aboard the Castle, while Skipper was engrossed in being part of a ship again, mesmerizing the crew with his matter-of-fact knowledge and unique way of imparting it to them. Like so many before them, these lessons will stay with them in their voyages beyond.

May 30, was as Skipper put it, Memorial Day Sail! as Capt. Dan Moreland welcomed old friends (including Foxy, his wife Tess and Dee Carstarphen of Maverick), new acquaintances, and shipmates aboard for a sail. The Picton Castle plied the waters between Tortola and JVD under full sail. She sailed both off and back onto the hook at Great Harbour. The Castle's crew shined, while old hands lent a hand to gain a piece of the moment. Skipper hoisted sail, coiled down, and took a turn at the wheel. It was a wonder for all to see him in his element again, after so many years. It was a grand time for an admirable fellow, 89 years young. As he said many times over the weekend, I'm as happy as a lark. Of course, that was the whole idea.

A big Thank You to Peter Wholihan for the story and the Picton Castle for the photos!

Spring - 2011 

Picton Castle to host Marineros at Jost van Dyke! 

Recent visits include Marinero Jeanne Shaub who passes along her best wishes. Jeanne did the 1971-1972 Pacific cruise, Grenada to Hawaii and several week-long Caribbean cruises. She'd love to attend but is not as nimble as back in those fine days in the Pacific.......

Tony and Janine Martinelli, from Port Charlotte, FL stopped by. They spent part of their honeymoon on the Romance in April of 1967 in the B.V.I. Adrian was the first mate and Manfred Dietrick was on board for most of the trip. That was Tony's introduction to sailing and he's never stopped.

4/20 - This just in from Peter Wholihan. Dan Moreland is getting folks together Memorial Day weekend at Jost Van Dyke in the BVI. Skipper will be there along with Dee Carstarphen of MAVERICK fame, Dyke and Inga Wilmerding of MANDOO and ZULU WARRIOR and Manfred Dietrich, ex-PAMIR and famous Sailmaker of Hassle Island. Also in the plans is a day sail aboard the Picton Castle. Accomodations are pretty scant aboard the Picton Castle, but where there is a will there is a way. Please spread the word.

Coming? Please fill out this ONLINE FORM so we can gather a list of who is coming and when. If sending an email to Dan, due to the capacity of the satellite communications system, please keep replies them short and don't send photos or attachments. Email him at: picton.castle@pc.atseamail.com. Like that favorite CSNY song from days sailing among the Virgin Islands say, "we may never pass this way again....", hope you'll be there for this special occasion.

Tony Probst got in touch and provided this photo of the ROMANCE heading back to Pitcairn from Henderson with her decks full of wood. He cruised the world aboard the Trimaran Lorelei 3 with his family between 1967 and 1980 and saw the ROMANCE repeatedly in the Caribbean, at Pitcairn, Tahiti and the Galapagos to name a few. At one point, the Lorelei 3 was seized at gun point and all of their photos were lost. He has asked if anyone who took photos of the ROMANCE in St. Thomas might have pictures that showed their trimaran anchored nearby. He is currently building a website based on stories of early Pitcairn and is trying to contact Marineros who sailed on the Henderson trips. You can reach him at ssm723@aol.com .

Winter - January 2011 

Good to hear from an early guest. Valerie (Griessmeyer) Kassl was aboard the Romance in the BVI during the week of Easter 1984. Romance had recently returned from Grenada where they rescued one of Linc's relations by stowing him below decks. She remembers how Gloria whipped up a Great Easter dinner in the small gallery and wishes she had stayed aboard for the voyage to Quebec.

Bill Turnbull checked in. He's been out of circulation a while with some health issues, now back in Dutch Harbor after recovering from a heart attack. After some genealogical research, it turns out that he is a direct descendant of Dr. Andrew Turnbull, the founder of New Smyrna Beach, where Capt.Kimberley dropped his hook. Small world.

Peter Wholihan posted photos and details of Skipper's visit to the VI for Thanksgiving.

Still waiting for news from the publisher of the book "Pirate King". They are now considering another photo for the chapter divider......will let you know if ROMANCE will be used. Latest NEWS. The ROMANCE photo will be used!

Just received an email requesting the use of this B&W photo of ROMANCE for use as a chapter divider in a new book called "Pirate King" by Laurie R. King. Thanks much to many of you who helped identify the photographer.....Mrs. K. A flurry of emails and memories of the '71-'72 South Pacific trip came in from Ronn Winkler, Peter Damon, Peter Wholihan, Lynn Bouck and Judy Bracik:

From Ronn Winkler's log: It was Jan 14, 72. Friday, We have 16 sails now! Stuns'ls were set this morning for the first time. Just beautiful. You should have heard the ooo's and aah's when the topmast stuns'l snapped into place. It was sent up forward of the yards and hidden behind the topsail from those standing aft. Until I hauled on the tack, Whop! - It appeared and set all at once........Noon pos, Lat 13 deg 29 min S. Long 111 deg 28 min W. Ave sp 5.4 K,. DMG 130 MN @ 238 deg T, Dist travelled 1543 NM.

Judy Bracik: I believe that is the old mainsail, (not footed down if I still have my terminology correct). I think this may be a picture that Mrs. K took after we set the stunsuls. Anyone recognize or remember who was at the wheel?

Peter Damon relates: My recollection is that on the first day we set those stunsails after having sewn them (Jim, you , and me principally � I don�t think Skipper actually sewed these � could be wrong though) and manufactured the spars and other rigging like the irons, halyards, sheets, etc., we lowered the longboat and Dan ran several trips ahead and to leeward to photograph the occasion. The challenge was to get low and behind a wave that would hide most of the hull � a neat trick given the motion of everything. Also Romance had to be upright � not rolling back and forth backing the sails. There really wasn�t much wind, but the photo couldn�t let that on, so timing and luck was everything. As for some details, I believe the helmsman was Tad Donnan � he wore a white hat like that. Under the curve of the exhaust pipe is perhaps yourself (or Gloucester Mary � it�s the hair). Skipper may be standing by the rail forward.

Lynn Bouck: I would agree with Judy Bracik that this photo was probably taken by Mrs. K on the 71-72 S. Pacific trip which I was also on. This shot looks very familiar and I am sure I have a color slide very similar if not the same exact shot (I'll have to check). As I recall this was mid Pacific somewhere between the Galapagos and Pitcairn. We all took turns going off in the launch to take photos and I believe the event was the setting of the stunsuls which were finished and set for the first time on that trip.

Summer 2010 

August and two more early Marineros stopped by. David "Charlie" Brown wrote: "I had a great time in 1969 doing the eight day cruises in the Virgins and then ending with a sail down to Grenada for haul out. I was known as Charlie Brown on the ship. I was also on a work term from Beloit College with Mark Nebel". Thanks Charlie for the photo! Jim McTigue crewed aboard ROMANCE in the Summer 1986 with Sutcliffe, Avishair (Israel), and Patrick from Australia.

Great to hear from another early Marinero, Chris Allen who sailed aboard ROMANCE between 1 September and 22 December 1968. He was a crewman under Adrian Loughborough as a work Semester from Beloit College when they outfitted her at SW2nd St in Miami and sailed her down to Charlotte Amalie.

He wrote, "I loved that pile of English oak. The days I was on her seemed like a lifetime. I can tell you this; I enlisted as an officer and had a military career and did a lot of things, but I NEVER worked as hard as I did on the Romance. Not because the Skipper asked me to, but because the Romance required it."

Still nothing new on the Documentary. Anyone have any details?

Winter - February 2010 

Photographs of the ROMANCE taken by this site's webmaster will be featured at an upcoming Art Show called "Fish & Ships". My wife does fish water colors, I have many shots of the ROMANCE. I'm looking forward to telling attendees about the ROMANCE and her extraordinary people and adventures.