Rummaging through the news today, as I do each morning despite the way it makes my blood boil, I came across an obituary for a professor from New Jersey, Marvin Creamer. Professor Creamer passed away last week at the age of 104, and while that number is remarkable, what’s really remarkable about the late professor is what he did aboard a 36-foot cutter back in the 1980s.
Professor Creamer sailed that cutter, the Globe Star, around the world with a crew and it took them 513 days.
“Wait,” you’re saying. “What’s the big deal? Lots of people have done that…some solo, some nonstop, some in record time.” All true. But what Professor Creamer did is really amazing.
He made the trip with no — as in: zero — navigational instruments. No compass, no sextant, no radio, no clock…let alone a GPS, a radar or some other newfangled electronic gizmo.
Think about that for a second and you’ll likely be as amazed as I am. Nothing to tell him where he was or which direction he was headed. Nothing, except the sun, the stars, the moon, the wind and waves, the ocean currents and water color.
Like I said: amazing. Here’s the obit for this true adventurer:
Marvin Creamer, a Mariner Who Sailed Like the Ancients, Dies at 104
Reminds me of when I was looking at boats back about eight or nine years ago and I lamented to the broker with whom I was working that a particular boat didn’t have this or that piece of electronic equipment. Dave, in his own unique style, didn’t miss a beat and replied, “Yeah, I’m constantly amazed at how Columbus and Magellan got anywhere without any of that stuff.” Touche, Dave, and thanks for the kick in the pants.
Here’s to you, Professor Creamer! Thank you for showing us what we can do if we just set our mind to it. Fair winds!