Straight Browsing from the Library: I'll Go the Length of Meself: The Story of Newfoundland's Daring Rascal, Captain Guy Earle, North America's Youngest Master Mariner by Dr. Philip Earle

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READ THE BLURB

"Guy's life was a living adventure: he was a mariner and navigator of the first order, a character with the bravery of a Viking and the kindness of Robin Hood. Generous to a fault, he could never turn his back on someone in need, and would risk his life in a flash to save the life of another. He was like a godfather to the coastal people.
– Philip Earle

"Guy Earle commanded ships when he was a boy. He had the qualities admired by Newfoundlanders, and created maximum employment in the family business wherever he could. He was truly a Newfoundland hero."
– Geoff Stirling, (1921–2013), founder, CJON-TV (NTV)

"Guy had a mind of his own. He was a terrific leader and he played hard to win at anything he did. He was quick to size up a situation and quick to take action. He never, ever accepted the word 'can't'; if it was possible, it had to be done."
– Fred Earle (1924–1999), Guy's brother and partner in business

"Skipper Guy could take charge on anything. He had no fear and believed in himself. He could make friends with the Queen, as they say, if he wanted, and get anything he wanted."
– Fred Rossiter, (1905–1985), shipmate and friend of Guy.

"It must be a beautiful thing to know you saved someone's life. Guy Earle saved me. I've had a long life, a successful business, and raised a family because of him. He was a great man."
– Ed Wahlen, businessman and friend of Guy

"Guy Earle was the exemplification of courage in everything he did. His trade was with people and his warmth spread as widely as his countless business negotiations. He gave his life to his vision of the fishery; it was his gift to his homeland, a gift few men can claim to better."
– Maurice Quinlan (1910–1983), co-founder, Quinlan Brothers Ltd

"Guy Earle was sent here by God to give to people."
– Pasteur Harold Slade

"Captain Guy was a daring seafarer whose legendary adventures rivalled those of the heroes in such Hollywood films as Captain Blood, Down to The Sea in Ships, and Captains Courageous."
– Gordon Lore, author

"There will never be another Guy Earle; there couldn't be."

READ AN EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

In 1942 on another journey down south in the Betoine, the skipper made the fastest round trip in a sailing schooner to Barbados, in the West Indies, and back to Newfoundland. It took twenty-one days to sail his vessel, unload and load her, and get back to Carbonear—a time that has also never been beaten. When they arrived off the coast of Portugal, a storm came up with gale force winds on the land—a serious situation on that coast for a sailing ship. Luckily, the ship had a small thirty-five-horsepower auxiliary diesel engine which would occasionally be used if becalmed or if they had to get clear of the land. The gale was still on two days later—with conditions getting worse—as she went up and down the coast, with big seas making it impossible to enter any harbour. Sometimes the engine would be used to keep her at sea away from the cliffs. There was a real possibility she would be blown down the coast, making it difficult for her to get back to port.

By this time, nerves were on end and a decision was made between mate Fred Rossiter and the skipper that they would go into Oporto, despite the danger of wrecking on the harbour’s sandbar. The mate reminded the skipper that the port was closed because of the war and no ships were allowed to enter. The mate said, “What in the world are we going to do?”

The skipper came up with the idea to drain the engine’s fuel tank. If asked why they entered the port, it would be because they were out of engine fuel and in danger of being driven ashore in the storm. When the oil was pumped from the tank into an oil drum, they headed for the mouth of Oporto Harbour.

The entrance to Oporto Harbour is very dangerous, since there are some shoals and sandbars at the entrance which can cause incoming seas to rise up to tremendous heights. As they got closer, they could see large waves rising above the shoals. Nevertheless, the decision had been made; they were going in, and there was no turning back!

Skipper Guy climbed up the rigging to the crosstrees of the foremast, and the mate climbed halfway up the mizzen behind him. The plan was for the skipper to give directions for the ship to the mate below him and, in turn, the mate would signal the two men lashed to the wheel on her stern. Things went fine until they were halfway through the entrance, but then—to the fright of all hands aboard—a monster sea rose up behind her, towering over the ship and coming at her! It covered the deck with water when it hit, and nothing of the boat could be seen on looking down from the rigging but the tops of her two deckhouses.

She was underwater, and the mate got wet thirty feet above her deck!

MEET THE AUTHOR

My father lived an exhilarating life. With I’ll Go the Length of Meself, my hope is to showcase his legacy as a great mariner, businessman, humanitarian, and exhibitionist, along with many other attributes. There will never be another Guy Earle, there couldn’t be. This is his story, and I’m proud to share it. I'll Go the Length of Meself: The Story of Newfoundland's Daring Rascal, Captain Guy Earle, North America's Youngest Master Mariner

Website: http://gothelength.com

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AMAZON KINDLE: https://amazon.com/dp/B09WPJPGX6
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APPLE IBOOKS: https://books.apple.com/us/book/ill-go-the-length-of-meself-the-story/id1617179417

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