What are lee-cloths?

Unless the structure of the boat renders them unnecessary (quarter berths, pilot berths with partitions), bunks on a yacht must have lee-cloths to prevent the sleeper falling out due to the motion of the vessel. These are sheets of canvas attached to the open side of the bunk (very few are open all round) and usually tucked under the mattress during the day or when sleeping in harbour. Lengths of rope are attached to the upper corners of the lee-cloth, and fittings are provided above the bunk to which these lines can be tied, holding the cloth in place as a kind of wall across the open side of the bunk. (Source Wikipedia)

Day 351 – 10th May 1987

Noon Summary Log

Day: 351
Date: 10th May 1987
Latitude: 45° 22.4′ S
Longitude: 55° 12′ W
Water Temperature: 10.4°C
Wind @ Noon: 18 NW
Max Wind /24 hours: 18 NW
Min Wind /24 hours: 10 NW
Cloud Cover 6/8
Outside Temperature: 12°C
Barometer: 1004

Source: CUL00045/10

Log

  • Spent a couple of hours re-securing lee cloths on port quarter berth which tore away in last Thursday’s gale.
  • Condensation is everywhere & it makes a mess with the mould. All to be spring cleaned when it gets warmer.

Source: CUL00058/1

Day 345 – 4th May 1987

Noon Summary Log

Day: 345
Date: 4th May 1987
Latitude: 51° 32.9′ S
Longitude: 62° 18.5′ W
Water Temperature: -°C
Wind @ Noon: 18 NW
Max Wind /24 hours: 18 NW
Min Wind /24 hours: 14 NW
Cloud Cover 8/8
Cabin Temperature: 13°C
Outside Temperature: 7.9°C
Barometer: 1003
Ships Seen: 1

Source: CUL00045/10

Log

  • My Mum’s birthday today.
  • AWFUL! Collided with foreign squid boat, about 4000 tons. Broke forestay (starboard), but port forestay appears to be okay. Smashed pulpit. Yacht seems okay. No holes that I can detect. Lucky the rigging is so strong. Most upsetting. Wind 20-25 knots NNW – a wind change.’
  • Yacht appears to be okay. Balance of broken forestay swinging around from top of mast, will recover in smoother waters. Centre back stay is now loose, must have helped take the shock. Lucky the bow is reinforced etc. Pulpit a tangled mess’.

Source: CUL00058/1

Images

Damaged pulpit May 1987
Damaged pulpit May 1987
Source: CUL00039/21/2

Damage caused by collision with trawler, May 1987
Damage caused by collision with trawler, May 1987
Source: CUL00039/21/2

Parry Endeavour after the collision with the trawler May 1987
Parry Endeavour after the collision with the trawler May 1987
Source: CUL00039/21/2