Ice-free Passage For Chichester

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31323, 20 March 1967, Page 13

Ice-free Passage For Chichester

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright)

PUNTAS ARENAS (Chile), March 19. Sir Francis Chichester was reported yesterday to be heading for an almost icefree passage around Cape Horn, the Associated Press said.

Seas in the area were reported to be calm as he headed for the Horn, which he expected to reach late today. His last reported position aboard the Gipsy Moth IV was

due south of the western coast of South America, about 400 miles from the Horn. Lady Chichester tonight appealed to other vessels to keep clear of Sir Francis Chichester. Her plea came after reports that an Argentine Navy ship and a British frigate were to attempt to get supplies to Sir Francis Chichester. “I hope no boats will attempt to go near my husband’s yacht,” she said. “I ask them to keep well away as it is highly dangerous to go near a racing yacht, sailed single-handed, and above all not to attempt to put anything on board, especially in view of the Incident in Bass Strait.” On his outward journey to Australia the yacht collided with a fishing boat off the Victorian coast. Sir Francis Chichester slightly injured his arm in the collision.