In Wake Of Wool Clippers

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31145, 23 August 1966, Page 14

In Wake Of Wool Clippers

(By ZALIA THOMAS? LONDON, August 15. When 64-year-old Francis Chichester leaves Plymouth on August 27, in his 53ft yacht Gipsey Moth IV he will be sailing to and from Australia by the same route taken by the great wool clippers, and it is not surprising that the International Wool Secretariat is taking this opportunity of using the Gipsey Moth as a "floating test bed for wool.” Mr Chichester’s wardrobe includes washable shrinkproof sweaters and socks; a specially-designed weatherproof wool gabardine sailing jacket and durably creased jersey wool trousers. Whilst sleeping he will keep warm

beneath washable cellular wool blankets and when sitting on his gimble chair (covered in sheepskin for extra comfort) his feet will sink into a carpet of pure new wool. Mr Chichester, who is a vegetarian, will also include in his stores a four and a half gallon keg of Whitbread’s beer a sample of which will be tested on arrival to see how it stands up to the rigours of a long voyage. For warmth in the cabin a double-barrelled Aladdin stove has been installed with a special chimney for removing fumes and the Marconi radio telephone which will be used to send back stories and weather reports to London is to be powered by a Perkins diesel engine, which will also be used to propel the boat when approaching crowded moorings, and for the lighting equipment.