Page 372 - The Tigris Expedition

The Tigris Expedition
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before I took any major decision on this voyage. My vote would be
decisive provided I had one man’s support, which would ensure
that I was not entirely out of my mind. Now I wanted a vote on my
plan to land on Socotra. Rashad could speak Arabian and Yuri
Russian. Nobody had shot at Tigris, so surely nobody would shoot
at the innocent dinghy if we openly went in with our United
Nations flag and explained our awkward position. Either they had
to accept us, or they would have to tow us out again.
I did not overstress my proposal, for I was sure it was the only
sensible thing to do and that everybody would be in accord as
always so far. After all this island was incredibly beautiful; here we
could certainly get fresh fruit, coconuts, poultry, steak, milk and
good water. If there were Russians ashore they would surely give a
friendly welcome to Yuri Alexandrovitch, who could even tell
them of the messages on the way from their own Foreign Office.
Prehistoric mariners must have left some vestiges on a big island
with this position. Never had I seen a piece of land that more invited
exploration. But I did not voice all this. I briefly suggested my plan,
and pointed out that for half an hour now we had been favoured by
a faint breeze blowing straight into the bay where we could beach or
anchor.
Norman was the first to comment. I had never known him to be
an orator, able to speak with so much enthusiasm and persuasion.
To my surprise he pointed out that this faint breeze could also be
taken in straight from starboard side and thus permit us to sail
alongside the island and perhaps just carry us clear of the distant east
cape with the triumph of continuing non-stop. It was certainly
worth trying, he said. We should not cut the truly long leg of our
trans-Indian Ocean voyage until absolutely necessary. We had a
chance to beat all our own records in non-stop reed-ship sailing. We
had plenty of food and water and needed nothing. If we sailed into
this bay we would have to be towed out again or hire more men
ashore to help us row the heavy vessel out. Besides, some of us
always became ill ashore. It was surely in the interest of the
expedition leader and everybody else not to interrupt our voyage

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