Historic ocean crossing commemorated in Dartmouth.
School children we’re able to ask questions and present a model of the red oak raft used by Henri. Below is a description via King’s Wharf of the historical mariner adventure.
“On May 24, 1956, Henri Beaudout and three friends and two cats set off from the Dartmouth shoreline and sailed into
the history books: becoming the first mariners to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a simple log raft. The journey took over two months and was dubbed, by some, the “Atlantic Kon-tiki”.
The ceremony at King’s Wharf was a reunion, bringing together Henri Beaudout, the lone surviving ‘Raftsman’ and several of his supporters for the first time since the remarkable journey sixty years ago.
The event included speeches by local dignitaries and an unveiling of a commemorative plaque will be revealed later.”
Part of this adventure, as explained, was to cope with what we now call PTSD, bringing peace to the men involved years after World War 2 ended. But it wasn’t easy, and many challenges faced the men in their journey, including sharks, poor weather and illness.
(Text via King’s Wharf)
Photos below:
