Page 373 - The Tigris Expedition

From Asia to Africa; from Meluhha to Punt
Carlo listened with an open mind. He, who had beamed with
admiration when he caught sight of the splendid cluster of alpine
pinnacles, was now completely uninterested in climbing. We had
been at sea now for so long. It was better to take the risk of trying to
clear the west cape and make straight for the Red Sea, where we
could end the expedition.
Yuri was sure there would be no problem if we landed, but if
Norman felt we might clear the west cape if the present wind lasted,
then he, too, would vote for an attempt.
Norris was silent, but we heard the familiar hiccoughs of his baby
as he filmed and registered all that was said. Without interference he
let the multinational crew give their ballot on the most important
decision of the whole expedition. Then he, too, voted against
landing, as this could not possibly be an interesting place, otherwise
Thor would have planned to go there from the beginning. One by
one the votes ran contrary to my proposal: USA, Russia, Italy,
Germany, Iraq, Japan, Mexico, Denmark. No support. Only my
countryman HP agreed that we would never find a more interesting
place to visit, so we ought to take a chance of going ashore.
I was amazed. Defeated. Perhaps I had been spoiled by my men
always accepting my proposals, except when I wanted to interrupt
the voyage of the first Ra and they all wanted to go on. That time I
took the decision alone. There was no reason to take needless risks
in a scientific experiment, and by then we had the answers anyhow.
And we could build a second test raft. This time I had at least the
necessary support of one vote. And I saw no point in setting a
long-distance record. Besides, the risk of running on the reefs and
wild rocks before we managed to clear the west cape of Socotra was
perhaps fifty-fifty. A brief description of Socotra in the Indian
Ocean sailing directory spoke of the west cape as treacherous, with
fierce currents, rough sea and violent gusts of wind. Experience of
the last four days had shown us that the wind might turn or die at
any time, and then we would be lost. There was no other beach
further west or a bay where a reed-ship could sail in and find
security, only wild cliffs and a couple of impossible anchorages
blocked by coral reefs. It was a desperate situation. To me it was
totally meaningless to risk our lives in an on-shore wind against
these extensive cliffs when we could stand straight into this fascinat­
ing bay, anchor and meet human beings to whom we could explain
our case. But without support of my men and with all the warnings
from the outside world I decided on a compromise.
The onshore wind increased sufficiently to whip up a few early

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