25 September marks the 50th anniversary of the start of the first voyage under the name "Eye of the Wind". It began in Ramsgate on the English Channel coast the maritime career of the two-master after a complete refurbishment lasting several years. In the years that followed, the brig circumnavigated the globe several times, led scientific expeditions and served as a backdrop for Hollywood productions. An anniversary cruise in September will honour its history. From November, a shipyard stay of several months is scheduled to ensure the preservation of the traditional sailing ship for at least another ten years. The comeback after the shipyard period is planned for the Hamburg Harbour Birthday - at the place where the ship's maritime history once began.
From cargo ship to sailing legend
In 1911, a gaff schooner was launched at the Lühring shipyard in Brake on the Lower Weser. The vessel is entered in the Hamburg shipping register under the name Friedrich and used in the South American trade. After twelve years, the owner sells the ship to Sweden. There, the gradual conversion from a sailing ship to a motorised vessel begins. As early as 1926, the masts were removed and a powerful engine installed. The cargo and fishing vessel travelled the Baltic and North Seas under different names and owners. A quieter existence as a transport ship for mail and goods was planned. However, these plans are shattered in 1969 when a devastating fire in the engine room destroys the deckhouses and the wooden deck. The mission at sea ends abruptly.
Rebirth as a brig
The fate of the ship touches enthusiastic sailing ship lovers. In 1973, they began extensive conversion work on the brig. The dreary existence as a cargo ship comes to an end. Under its new name "Eye of the Wind", the two-master is now ready to embark on great adventures at sea. The first voyage, which began in 1976, circumnavigated the globe. The round-the-world voyage takes it to Australia, the South Seas and around the infamous Cape Horn. The next challenge awaits as soon as the voyage ends in 1978. Under the patronage of Prince Charles, now King Charles III, the Eye of the Wind is given the honour of leading Operation Drake as the flagship. More than 400 international crew members will take part in this almost two-year expedition around the globe in the footsteps of the famous navigator during various stages.
Hollywood discovers the tall ship
Its imposing appearance also attracts attention in the film industry. The Eye of the Wind has crossed the waters several times on the film sets of major Hollywood productions. As in real life, the tall ship braves wild storms in front of the camera, gets stranded, burns out and sinks. In the adventure film "The Blue Lagoon" from 1980, the ship serves as a film set, as well as in the pirate film "Savage Island" from 1983. Further appearances follow in "Taipan 1986" and "White Squall / Tearing Current" in 1996. Well-known Hollywood stars such as Brooke Shields and the two Oscar winners Tommy Lee Jones and Jeff Bridges have already held the steering wheel in their hands.
New tasks for "Eye of the Wind"
After another rounding of Cape Horn, the tall ship travelled the world's oceans as a sail training ship until the year 2000. The ship sailed to the world's most famous harbours. At tall ship regattas around the globe, it received several awards as the most beautiful maritime photo motif during this time.
Traditional sailing by hand
The sails, with a total surface area of around 750 square metres, are set and raised using only muscle power. Sailing is still done entirely by hand. This makes the "Eye of the Wind" an authentic testimony to traditional seafaring - and a special challenge for the crew. Today, the traditional sailing ship is used worldwide for sailing trips and charter voyages. Private individuals can take part in holiday cruises to the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean.
Technical specification:
- Year of construction: 1911
- Length: 40.23 metres
- Width: 7.01 metres
- Speed: 8 knots
- Sail area: 750 square metres
More tall ships can be found here:
"Passat" - Happiest of the eight sisters
"Peking" - One letter made the difference
"Gorch Fock I" - shining like at the launch
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
