In March 1802, driven before a sou’westerly gale, the “Investigator” dropped anchor off the North Eastern corner of the soon to be named Kangaroo Island and Flinders went ashore the following day. He named this place Kangaroo Head.
Over time, careless cartography and misinformation has led to much conjecture as to the exact positioning of Kangaroo Head.
On Wednesday January. 27, a favourable 20 knot sou’easterly breeze assisted the modern day“Strawbridge Pointers to investigate the veracity of the charts and to satisfactorily place the proper aforementioned Head.
Eight vessels and 29 crew assembled at the wharf for sailing instructions. Ken spliced, Brian braced and Gaylene stowed as the commodore organised. We were joined by the McLeans from Brisbane who are circling Australia in their 50’ catamaran, “Lettin’ Go”. They proved to be marvellous hosts at lunch and we wish them God-speed on their wonderful journey.
Daniel Glover was like a kid with an icecream as he joined the two Johns on “Morning Gold”. The S&S34 took off and inspected both prospective sites as well as nearly reaching Encounter Bay. (Must have mixed the dates up.)
“Golden Odyssey” hoisted canvas early and set a cracker down the channel. “Klee Wyck’s” skipper, fresh from his blood curdling sail of the previous week, again didn’t spare the lash on his hapless crew. Nick and Greg really stoked “Dauntless” along. This wonderful cutter is really sailing beautifully and is a treat to the eye.
“La Hoya” once again had a crew worthy of a man’o’war, led by cap’n Glen. “Big Bird” and the tardy “Jafra” rounded out the armada.
The fleet’s brief was to inspect at close range the charted K. Head and if possible, the alternative promontory at Penneshaw before repairing to Congony Beach for lunch and discuss over sandwiches, the merits of each.
Prior to lunch, “Dauntless” semaphored that Greg Emmett had caught three snook and a Pike but were en route to the hospital to retrieve the offending hook from Nick’s finger. It was his brush finger, too, so his works may take on a different texture. Nick’s “hook period”.
The lunch break assumed a most haphazard look with “Dauntless” scampering off, “Odyssey” anchored near the bricks, “La Hoya”‘s anchor taking its owner and “Klee Wyck” on a slow crawl over Eastern cove, “Jafra” and “Morning Gold”s crews slumming it aboard the giant, gleaming “Lettin’ Go” and the Smyths and Pat Kildea making leeway aboard the Sunbird 25. Quite a scene.
The luncheon formalities concluded and with the wind still fresh, a great reach was had by all back to the sanctuary of the river. Much quicker than whaleboat, one surmises.
The planned debate over the correct positioning of Kangaroo Head commenced at Churchill’s residence, over drinks.
For the record, despite arguing the factually incorrect case, Glen’s team were triumphant over Robert’s team. Adjudicator David tabled a report from the SA Geographical Society that argues conclusively that the current charted head is incorrect and the genuine article is to be found several kilometres to the east. Debate continues.
Nick received the “Porthole” for services to fishing and medicine.
Next Pointers meet will involve a MOB drill. Choose which crew member should be dunked. Hal Yard
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