Historical

By Richard Crockett Bruce Dalling returned to South Africa after finishing the 1968 Trans-Atlantic race in second spot over the line, and in FIRST place on handicap. He returned as a hero – and deservedly so too. Capetonians gave him a rousing welcome as he sailed ‘Voortrekker’ into the Merchant Navy Academy at Granger Bay, having given all the “landlubbing” supporters a glimpse of his trusty steed as he sailed close inshore off Mouille Point and Three Anchor Bay. Some …

By Richard Crockett There is always one person who manages to steal the limelight on an important occasion, this time being when Bruce Dalling and ‘Voortrekker’ were being welcomed home in Granger Bay. A well-wisher on a high-powered speedboat began sinking in the path of ‘Voortrekker’ near the harbour entrance. I wonder whether the boat’s name ‘The Bum’ had anything to do with the mishap? READ MORE HERE:  1968 08 01b – Cape Times – Bruce Dalling Archives – S&A …

By Richard Crockett I can only assume that some bright spark from the Spearhead Class had an epiphany to boost class numbers by asking Bruce Dalling for a trophy, or a part from ‘Voortrekker’ as a trophy. How brilliantly clever! The question though is simply this, where is the trophy today? READ MORE HERE:  1968 08 28 – Rand Daily Mail – Bruce Dalling Archives – S&A – 003040

By Richard Crockett I have chosen to share this newspaper cutting today as it is more about Clubs and dinghies and innovative thinking, than it is about Dalling. It mentions that Dalling would be guest of honour at an official dinner at Victoria Lake Club (VLC), followed the next evening at Pretoria Sailing Club (PSC), and on the third evening at East Rand Yacht Club (ERYC). It’s mentioned that Bruce McCurrach had been invited for a weekend at VLC to …

by Richard Crockett In all my scribblings about Bruce Dalling I have done my level best to portray him as a humble man and fair sportsman, which he was, and which are traits that have to be admired. As a result he was admired throughout the sailing world, and someone people simply needed to acknowledge and heap praise on. Captain Terrance Shaw who organised the race in which Dalling finished second, said this about him: “Dalling’s personality, his courage and …

By Richard Crockett Thank you for the “get well” wishes – much appreciated. Almost 100% again as this lurgy is a real swine and very difficult to shake off! To ease myself back into routine, I will spend the next few days highlighting some interesting newspaper and magazine cuttings from my Bruce Dalling archives. Today is a feature article from Modern Boating magazine which was written by Geoffrey Williams, skipper of the winning yacht ‘Sir Thomas Lipton’. READ IT ALL …

By Richard Crockett Having covered the exploits of Bruce Dalling in detail in recent weeks, I can share a six page pull-out supplement on the Whitbread Round the World Race that appeared in the Argus on 31 October 1973. This supplement is crammed full of interesting info on the people, boats, and anecdotes about sailing this great race. South Africa’s ‘Jakaranda’ was entered, and skippered by John Goodwin, but sadly she only completed the first leg. READ IT ALL HERE:  …

by Richard Crockett On 29 June 1968 the above headline took pride of place on the Cape Times front page, and the newspaper Editor saw fit to give ‘Voortrekker’ and Bruce Dalling near saturation coverage that morning. There are 7 different features on this adventure, including an Editor’s comment. Sadly today with our newspapers, unless one can hit it of kick it, it’s not sports news! Enjoy all 7 items, many on the full page of the newspaper and amongst …

By Richard Crockett The South African ketch ‘Voortrekker’ slipped unexpectedly out of the fog here last night to take second place in the transatlantic singlehanded yacht race. Bruce Dalling told reporters that his worst experience during the trip was being caught in a storm with winds of more than 60 knots on June 12. It was the worst gale I have ever seen in my life,” he said. “That will live long in my memory. It was absolutely the worst.” …

By Richard Crockett On 28 June 1986 the local newspapers gave saturation cover to Bruce Dalling and his near miss at winning line honours in the singlehanded trans-Atlantic race. The Rand Daily Mail on the day had two major reports, one I can only assume to have been in their first edition, the second being a “special” edition which carried the headline at the top of this feature. His first comment after arrival was: “I need about three days’ sleep …

By Richard Crockett From today I will share newspaper reports of Dalling and his great effort in trying to win the singlehanded trans-Atlantic race in ‘Voortrekker’. It was a valiant effort from Bruce, and despite not winning line honours, the solace he and his fans took away from the race is that he was declared the handicap winner – something few wrote about at the time, and few remember or know today. In the Rand Daily Mail Roger Williams wrote …

By Richard Crockett The South African yacht ‘Voortrekker’ is now in the lead of the single-handed transatlantic yacht race. She was sighted yesterday by Geoffrey Williams of the ‘Sir Thomas Lipton’, who reported to the organisers of the race that he had seen her clearly. This means that she must be within three to four miles of the ‘Sir Thomas Lipton’, and with the 12-hour penalty incurred by the British yacht, this makes the ‘Voortrekker’ the leader. READ THE FULL …

By Richard Crockett Although English schoolteacher Geoffrey Williams (25) was first home today in the single-handed transatlantic race, he may not be declared the winner. The second boat across the line seemed certain to be ‘Voortrekker’, sailed by South African Bruce Dalling (29), and because of a 12-hour penalty imposed on the ‘Sir Thomas Lipton’, with Williams aboard, his 50 ft ketch may be awarded the Observer trophy instead. READ MORE HERE:  1968 06 27 – Evening Post – Bruce …

By Richard Crockett Back in the old days vessel tracking was something one just dreamt about, so aircraft were used to find vessels close to shore. On 26 June The Star reported as follows: A Royal Canadian Air Force plane spotted the ‘Sir Thomas Lipton’, crewed by Briton Geoffrey Williams, and ‘Voortrekker’ about 300 miles out from the finishing point at Newport, Rhode Island. From Newport, the “Daily Express” correspondent reports that it is becoming increasingly obvious that the first …

By Richard Crockett The finish of the singlehanded Transatlantic Race was slated to be a “thriller” as a desperately close finish was expected between Britain’s ‘Sir Thomas Lipton’ and South Africa’s ‘Voortrekker’. Geoffrey Williams was reported to be 60nm ahead of Bruce Dalling, and just 400nm from the finish. The advantage Dalling had was that Williams was penalised 12 hours for arriving late at the start venue. READ MORE HERE:  1968 06 26 – Rand Daily Mail – Bruce Dalling …