- Title: SINGAPORE: TO BRITAIN BY SLOOP
- Date: 29th January 1959
- Summary: G.V. Sloop being painted. M.S. Onlookers Naval friends. M.S. Cmdr. Atkinson Prints Sloop. C.U. Cmdr. Tod Atkinson. M.S. Able seaman Fred Fisher points C.U. Able seaman Fisher M.S. Packing tinned goods (interior shot) C.U. Packing (Interior shot) Sink M.S. Able seaman Fisher passes stores to Atkinson. G.V. Sloop. Ensign Plutters C.U. Atkinson and Fisher (Pan shot) M.S. Sloop M.S. Atkinson On Board "Berer Bee" M.S. Fisher Checks Outboard (very small motor) Initials This is some advance footage. They are planning to leave this week-end (January 31st) and we will send you a cover of it. Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 13th February 1959 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Singapore, Naval Base
- Country: Singapore
- Reuters ID: LVAENCINVSHBRJ8K8N536N4BNL9A
- Story Text: In this jet age, two adventurous British navy men are defying speed and safety and undertking a long trip by sea from Singapore to England on a 24-feet Bermuda sloop.
Boarded Lt. Cmdr. Ted Atkinson, who was till recently officer in charge of a wireless station in Singapore's Naval base, and Abel Seaman Fred Fisher of the destroyer HMS Cavalier are putting the finishing touches to the sloop they build themselves - the "Berer Bee".
Cmdr. Atkinson has retired from the Navy, but 25 year old Fisher from Coventry, England, has two more years in the Navy to complete.
The work of building the sloop started in March 1957, and these pictures taken just fortyeight hours before their sailing show that he men were still busy giving final touches to the beat. The hard work is not without consolation - the sloop cost then GBP350 Sterling only. The "Berer Bee" is made a tirely of Singapore timber, except for the spruce used in her must and been. Cmdr. Atkinson and Fisher packed some finned fruit's and tinned coffee into the sloop to keep them going during long hauls.
From Singapore the "Berer Bee" will go to Penang, Ceylon Aden, Suez and Malta before entering Sets on the Gulf of Lyens and making her way to the English Chanel through the French canal system.
The two men are looking forward with optimism to the journey ahead although they are conscious of the risk and dangers that lie ahead.
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