First Annual QCYC Ice Breaker Cruise to Poulsbo – Friday – Sunday, January 11th-13th
An ad appeared in the London Times in 1913:
"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success."
Ernest Shackleton
5000 men applied. 27 were selected. This was the start of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic expedition led by Sir Ernest Shackleton. Their story of survival under brutal conditions is legendary. More importantly for QCYC, their accomplishment of one of the greatest feats of navigation in maritime history is the inspiration for what we hope will become an annual event for Queen City Yacht Club. We’re calling this Fleet Captain event the First Annual Ice Breaker Cruise to Poulsbo. The Norwegian town of Poulsbo is the perfect destination, because the whaling station on South Georgia Island was Norwegian too! Shackleton and 5 of his men navigated to the whaling station, covering over 800 nautical miles in an open, 20 foot boat in huge seas, frigid temperatures and high winds in what is considered the roughest ocean in the world. Your journey to Poulsbo, in honor of their accomplishments, will be far less harrowing I’m sure!
We have a fun set of events planned for the weekend. A summary of the Shackleton story, a “no-excuses for not attending” commentary from Shackleton himself and the event itinerary are on three-sided table tents on the 2nd floor of the main station. There is also an abbreviated flyer linked online on the website home page under Ice Breaker Cruise. Please RSVP as soon as possible and if you’re arriving by boat, be sure to mention QCYC to the marina staff when you make your reservation directly with them at 360-779-3505. If you have questions or would like to RSVP, please e-mail Fleet Captain Barry Rutten – barryrutten@comcast.net or call 425-949-2815. We really hope to see you there!!!!
