Tuesday, December 2, 2008

TRAMP

the Henry Bonneaud
the Peter P
Mataora
the Paddy
Lambros L


Creed O'Hanlon has suggested I rename my weblog "Minimalist Cruising". I realize that has been my recent focus, and will remain so in the forseeable future, but I do have shifting interests and named my weblog to allow myself the freedom to go anywhere I want. To wit, I bought this book on the shrinking world of the tramp frieghter recently, at a library sale I've already mentioned. Titled simply TRAMP, it's now out of print. Published in 1986 by Chronicle Books of San Francisco, it was written by Michael Krieger with photographs by Judy Howard. It's a really beautiful book, large format and crisp photography. My scans don't really do it justice. The book documents 19 boats which are probably no longer with us. Stories, interior shots, crew photos and some documentation take it from a coffee table book to a maritime document and dramatic documentary. Well worth the $1.00 I spent. If you can find it at a used bookstore and the man wants $15.00, give it to him. Second market copies range from $35.00 to over $100. If I'm not mistaken, many of todays cruising sailors gained their sealegs on just these kind of craft. R.Knox-Johnston and Mr. O'Hanlon, himself, come to mind. These boats are certainly an endangered species and their combination of utility and a strange , industrial aesthetic, plus their rugged, ragged, decaying features make them sheer beauty in my eye.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Im a pretty good Photoshopper and I'd be happy to clean up and brighten up those pics for you. I already did one, it only takes a few mins but makes all the difference in the world. email me and Ill send it to you. I'll do it in exchange for a link on your page ;)

WeSailFurther said...

Nice find. I just bought myself a copy for ten bones. I'll post again when I get it!

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hi Tramp,
Your post reminded me of a well loved UK TV series from my youth. It was called the “Vital Spark”. Based on the short stories of Neil Munro about the exploits of a ‘Clyde Puffer ‘and her skipper Para Handy.
The Puffers were small coastal trading boats which services the costal towns of Scotland before adequate road links were established.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fa48WOgb3mI
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-QBgvyQsios
http://www.pagenumberone.co.uk/layouts/puffers/index.htm

Anonymous said...

William Buckley's son, Christopher, wrote a great travel book about sailing aboard tramp steamers, 'Steaming To Bamboola'!