Recalling voyages
of m.v. Jag Laxmi
PART
2
Pacific crossings can be either rough weather all
through in Winter or calm and foggy for most part in the summer esp in the North sector. The Spanish sailor -Magellan who called this ocean
Pacific.. meaning calm, just was lucky to get a calm period. The vast stretch of
this water makes it the largest Ocean. As a result, it makes the wave and swell
height almost mountainous in some places.Many "surfing" on US beaches have even been caught off guard and
swept away. The name Pacific can be a a total misnomer in Winter months of Nov.-
Dec & January. After loading was completed, the final departure was usually dep. Los Angeles or San
Diego and it was very long haul. On m.v.Jag Laxmi voyages 1965-66 we
used to do a part great circle and then Rhumb line to Luzon --and en route pass
the Farallon De Pajaros (Uracas) , a volcno in the northernmost island of the
Mariana Islands, at a
very safe distance -abt 14 days or so after dep. LA on the Pacific crossing. Our Capt George Peter (1965-66)- an
excellent Ship-Master used to draw attention to it as a spl point -and it was
the first land sighting after a long period.
See Marianas- the
Farralon Volcanic Is. pic details attached, with chart.
The pacific is dotted with small islands and
atolls and has always intrigued travellers and adventurers.The pacific also has
a record of such volcanic islands ..called atolls, esp of volcanic kind
appearing and disappearing. Creation.... Nature's marvels.
2) On one Pacific voyage, with typhoon Nestor in the Luzon, Capt Peter took the uncharted inland Sulu sea passage southwards to Singapore. Remarkable navigation done and with no nav-aids or electronic position fixing/plotting facilities; Our ship was very ably piloted by his sound judgement in navigation and chartwork- He had organised an excellent voyage plan with visuals in the day and anchoring at night in the Sulu sea passage-
Perhaps, today this will never be attemped. Also nowadays, Pirate attacks were prominent till 2003 in these Indonesian islands, esp near *Mangkai -Anambas Is.which Lt house-in that time a major Course alteration point, before steering south wards for approaching Singapore.
After abt. 2 weeks sailing, we would approach the passage north of the Phillipines as seen in attached map and navigate south through China seas to Singapore -The Masters orders would usually be to shape a course off Mangkai to Horsburgh approaching Singapore. Anchor at Western or Eastern anchorage for bunkers for a short while and then finally setting course to India- after rounding Dondra head - the southern tip of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and then curve up towards the West Coast of India for Bombay - usually first port of call. A long awaited date with keen anticipation.
The return voyage to India from U.S.Ports took abt. 35 days at approx.12 knots with a short Bunkering halt of a few hours at Singapore.
Therafter it was a month on the Indian cost, unloading generals at severel ports in succession viz. Cochin, Madras, Vizag and finally terminating at Calcutta.
A happy ending after a long passage and a round trip was usually 5 months at least. That was really something and looked forward to. Great set of navigating officers and people to sail with. Most were Ex-Dufferin. We have stayed in touch even till some time back.
Rgds
TR
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