South American Tour - 1964-1965

Introduction: Ernest Redfield Saegart was my great grandfather. He was the only son of Arthur Eugene Saegart and Cora (Sackett) Saegart. He was born April 28, 1898 Connecticut maybe Windsor township, though he and died December 9, 1966 in Sun City, Arizona. At the age of 12 they moved to Washington D.C. He married Mildred (Elwell) Saegart and lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming in the 1920-1930s then to Denver. They had one son William Saegart. In 1965, he and Mildred (Millie) took a tour of South America. He cataloged it in a journal. I am going to share it. 

How did it happen?

For a number of years whenever Millie and I were in a coastal town we haunted the docks seeking permission to search and inspect Ocean-going ships. In May 1963 we were in San Francisco on a motor trip  to British Columbia. I had just retired the first of that month so time was what we had plenty of- we thought.

Following our customary providence we were meandering around the wharf. Spotting an I talented freighter we asked for permission to board and we were so escorted around the ship by a member of the crew who was probably looking for a small honorarium. Disembarking we stood at the end of the gangplank gazing at the paint-denied hull and recapping the advantages of what we had seen of the accommodations for the passengers. It left more than a great deal to be desired.

A bystander apparently a seaman and waare of our topic of conversation, from in with the suggestion that we look at the Norwegian freighter berthed just ahead on the same dock. The guide let us on the ship and we wandered around by ourselves. In the lounge we found a lady passenger conversing with a local friend. The passenger showed us her cabin and told us the rest of the passengers were ashore. We were favorably impressed with clean, neat and tidy manner in which the ship was kept. Everything appeared to be shipshape for pleasant living at sea. The ship's name was "Porsanger:" Continuing our inspection we passed the captain's quarter and he came to the door to ask if we could be of assistance. He called the fright manager, Alan Skellenger. We told him we would like to know more about the steam ship line. He said that all info and sales was handled by General Steamship Corporation, Ltd. Onc beach St. , San Fransisco and that he would give them our names and address. Mrs. Ruth Durkin wrote to our Denver Address on May 9, 1963 and sent a copy to Empress Hotel, Victoria B.C. Canada due to unforeseen calamity we never go to the latter place. Trusting from her letter, "The Westfal-Larsen Line offers one sailing per month of a line 12 passenger Norwegian vessel on a round trip cruise from San Francisco down the West Coast of South America through the Strait of Magellan to Buenos Aires. Then up the East Coast to Trinidad though the Panama Canal to San Francisco, making many ports of call en route. However, all passenger accomodations are booked from August 1963 thru April 1964. 

After an exchange of several letters a deposit was sent July 6, 1963 for a R.T. on M/S Porsanger departing in December 1964.

Shortly thereafter Mrs. Durkin wrote that there was a cancellation of a Round the World Cruise on an Isbrandtsen sailing in November, 1963. We decided to take it and keep the SA trip also - at least until we found how we liked freighter travel. It's wonderful and that's another story. Concidence on 2/21/65 we had completed the cruising of Pacific Ocean on World Cruise and entered the Goldan Gate. The first ship we saw in the harber was the M/S Porsanger leaving the harbor on one of the regular voyages.

Here is a list of the schedule:

Schedule Page 1

Schedule Page 2

Log of the Cresta Blanca Finale.

9/27/83 (Tuesday)

Last night was the first night we had no rain. Of course, some of the crew (AHEM) could not fully appreciate this fact because they never knew it rained all the other nights!
Following a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs, Captain Bill and Arch took the dink over to the Tradewinds Resort which is under construction and due to open in February, 1984. They were trying to get us a tour of the place, but returned indicating there was really nothing to see. The girls relaxed on board reading while they were gone. The remainder of the morning was spent taking it easy. We ate lunch ashore for the first time---at Biras Creek Resort. The restaurant’s outward appearance is that of an old fort. The view from the restaurant is a panoramic---the Caribbean on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Just spectacular!
We spent about an hour and a half at their salt water pool on the ocean, with a couple who were the ONLY guests at the resort!
The rest of the afternoon was spent on the beach at Bitter End. We returned to the boat to dine on filet mignon and cauliflower with cheese sauce (concocted by Florence). Deeelicious!

9/28/83 (Wednesday)

The Rains hit again last night, but this did not dampen the spirits of the crew. After our breakfast of French-toast, sausage and bacon, the Captain wanted to run the engine to charge up the batteries and cool the refrigeration system. However, there was one slight problem---the engine wouldn’t start! It sounded as though the batteries were too weak and could not provide enough juice to turn the engine over. This was time for an executive decision by the Captain. He called Tortola Radio to patch him through to CSY Marina. He was asked a number of questions regarding our status, including whether we could sail to Trellis Bay. The Captain indicated he had a “green” crew and felt that it would not be wise to try this. We were then told to expect the “chase boat” around mid-day. We decided this would just give us enough time to do what we had planned anyway---go to the beach. Bill and Arch dropped the ladies on the beach and continued to the reef for snorkeling.
We returned shortly after noon to have lunch and await the arrival of help. Well, 2 o’clock came and still no boat. Bill again contacted CSY and was told that someone should have already been here, and to call again in half and hour if still no help.

About 3 o’clock two mechanics arrived. After trying to start the engine, they determined the problem was not the batteries, but the starter motor. Fortunately, they had a replacement for us. Arch took the ladies over to the beach while a repair was being made, and then returned to wait with Captain Bill. When all was over, Bill and Arch joined us on the beach and the Captain took a well-deserved nap. After having a drink at the bar, we returned to the boat (which had been relocated to a breezier spot) to prepare dinner. A feast fit for a King---we had veal cordon blue, green beans and potatoes au gratin. Good job Florence and Carrie!

Well that is all that was written in the Log of Cresta Blanca. I am sure that there were many more adventures, but they were not recorded in the copy of the log that I retyped for this Trip Log. Ho-hum. Next I will try to tackle the South American Tour of 1965 by Ernest R. Saegart. 

Log of the Cresta Blanca Part 3

9/25/83 (Sunday)

True to his word, Fritz arrived quite early to bring over an autographed copy of his book for Florence. He bid us farewell and we made preparations to head across Drake Channel to the Baths. We anchored offshore of the Baths and a lovely sandy beach, and everyone anxiously loaded into the dink for a visit ashore. After walking through the Baths and swimming for a short while, Captain Bill and Arch took the dink back to pick up snorkel gear. The girls all enjoyed a Prell bath, shampoo and much needed leg shaves. Finally, the snorkel gear arrived. The area was sparsely populated with limited varieties of fish, but still, everyone enjoyed. Lunch was next on the agenda, and then guess what??? The ladies read while the guys meditated.
The weather began to worsen somewhat, so Captain Bill decided we should head for safe harbor. Carrie valiantly volunteered to be set afloat in the dink with the stern anchor line while the rest of us freed the bow anchor. WE all solemnly promised to return to pick her up. All went well, and Carrie was again safe on board.

Our next stop for the night was Spanish Town at Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor. The marina is quite big, but the individual slips look quite small. However, that proved to be no problem for Old Salt (Captain Bill, of course). First attempt was perfect (APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE). We walked up the highway to Fischer’s Cove for drinks and a dinner of grouper for Arch and lobster tails for everyone else. Upon returning, unable to wait any longer, Arch and Sharon headed for the showers. A nice hot shower was just what the doctor ordered. Having had a full day of sun and fun, all retired for the evening---again witnessing the rise of a somewhat waning moon.

9/26/83 (Monday)

Everyone enjoyed using the very nice facilities at the Marina. Captain Bill, always very ingenious, prepared “gromet” pancakes for breakfast with somewhat (more) fermented pineapple and rum, along with sausage.
Afterward, we all took a Taxi-Bus into Spanish Town and little Dix Bay, the Rockefeller-owned resort. The resort is beautifully landscaped and has very open, spacious architecture.  We took some pictures and bought postcards in the shop there.
After returning to the Marina, Captain Bill gave a brief orientation on who would do what during our sailing expedition which would take us to The Bitter End. Everyone had an assigned task and all went well. However, the ladies wore a somewhat somber, if not grim, expression throughout the voyage.
We radioed in and decided to tie-on to a buoy. We took the dink in, explored the resort complex and had a wonderful pina colada at the bar. After learning that the $10 mooring fee covered only mooring and garbage pick-up (use of shower facilities cost $2.50/person), the Captain made an executive decision---we wouldn’t use their buoy, we would drop anchor. Dinner was simple, we decided the Chef needed a break. Florence and Sharon cooked hamburgers. MMmmm GOOD! Everyone retired early to read before going to sleep. A Monday of sailing beats a Monday of working anytime!