Passage to Torres Strait

Description

In his early twenties Miles Hordern first crossed the oceans from Northern to Southern Hemisphere, but one final leg of his round the world journey eluded him for twelve more years: the stretch between New Zealand and the Indian Ocean, guarded by the Torres Strait. Once thought to be mythical, so difficult was it to find and pass, the first authenticated passage took place in 1606; in 1768 it was charted by Captain Cook. In that age of sail, most sailors who attempted a passage through it still either drowned on the treacherous reefs or starved in open boats. But Hordern's 28-foot sloop took him more than 4000 nautical miles via the islands of Melanesia, the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef to Australia. His cabin library included tales of individual, lingering histories that he wanted to trace for himself between the lines of the great chronicles. For it was the beachcomber - the sailor who jumped ship, mutinied or was shipwrecked, and stayed - who had an even more enduring impact on island life.

Miles Hordern was born in 1965 and grew up in land-locked Worcestershire. He first went to sea at the age of nineteen in a 16-foot open boat bound from Cornwall to Africa; in 1990 he sailed single-handed from Britain to New Zealand. He has now crossed the Pacific four times under sail.

A mariner's tale - Wanderlust Hordern . . . serves up the sea in the best way possible . . . through the lives of others before him who found in it a reckless and sometimes tragic freedom. - Sunday Times A perceptive, intelligent observer with an original mind, he has a far better than average sensitivity to indigenous cultures - Times Literary Supplement Lyrically written, this is a wonderful description of his epic journey and a fascinating account of the sailors that went before. - Good Book Guide 'This is a wonderfully engaging and informative book by an author whose writing and nautical skills are equally impressive' - Adventure Travel Magazine 'Hordern is that rare species a poet and man of action. His achingly beautiful descriptions of sailing and the sea, richness of language and intense involvement with nature are reminiscent of Saint-Exupery' - Geographical Magazine Well caulked, it is a rewarding and very seaworthy read - The Times: Ross Leckie