Another blow came through overnight, picking up in the morning to a steady 35-45kts and gusts into the 50’s. But the anchor held fast despite two 180° changes of wind direction when the blow came in.
The next morning dawned sunny and calm, so the team decided on a little harbour cruise. But first they had to get balls of kelp off the anchor chain! The anchor was free of kelp, it was dug into excellent sand/mud.
First they went around to North Arm to look for the wreck of the Grafton. They almost missed it as there is not much left of the 1864 ship that wrecked on the island, leaving her five crew stranded on Auckland Island for 18 months. The fascinating story is retold in Islands of the Lost by Joan Druett.
All that remains of the Grafton wreck, the ribs
Next they motored into Western Arm (and into a 30kt squall!), past Adams Island and the narrow Victoria Passage (leading to open ocean to the west) and into Western Harbour.
Adams Island
Victoria Passage
The very far end of Western Harbour was pointed out as the place to sit out the worst of the worst storms. After a nice cuppa at anchor in Western Harbour, they headed back eastward to Camp Cove for the night. Alex decided to do a bit of running repairs to the Australian ensign and NZ courtesy flags which had been damaged by the high winds.
Today Lucy and Alan rowed ashore to have a look at a nearby Camp Cove castaway depot (huts set up by the government in the late 1800s with supplies for castaways). The hut was spotted from Rusalka while approaching Camp Cove, but Lucy and Al couldn't find it onshore. But they did find a small pink marker on a branch.
Pink Marker on Rata Tree
With more stormy weather approaching, it looks like Rusalka will be staying where she is for the next few days. Stayed tuned…
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