A distinguished Brit

John Blaich

* EDITOR’S NOTE: John Blaich is a Corona del Mar resident and

volunteer at the

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. About once a month, he writes the

history of

interesting boats that graced Newport Harbor.

The schooner yacht Sea Drift was home ported at Balboa Peninsula

from 1954 to 1961. She was owned by Lyman H. Farwell, a Newport

Harbor Yacht Club member who moored his yacht in front of his 1124

East Balboa Blvd. home.

John G. Alden of Boston designed Sea Drift. She was built by the

ship building firm Livingston and Casper Ltd., of Hull, England, in

1924. Sea Drift was 84 feet, 3 inches, in length overall, with a

20-foot beam and a draft of 10 feet, 3 inches. Her working sail area

was 3,780 square feet. Farwell replaced an older diesel auxiliary

engine with a new General Motors six-cylinder diesel engine in

1955.Sea Drift was distinguished by her black hull and tan canvas

sail cover.

However the black paint on the hull was replaced with white during

the summer of 1955 when Sea Drift participated in the Trans Pacific

Yacht Race, placing eighth in her class. During the years Farwell

owned Sea Drift (1954-1961), she raced in three Trans Pacific Yacht

races to Honolulu, two San Diego to Acapulco races and 10 Ensenada

races, plus many local sailboat races. There were three premises that

the crew of the Sea Drift followed: Always sail Sea Drift in an

efficient seaman-like manner, always have fun and win the race.

In addition to racing, the Farwell family enjoyed cruising in Sea

Drift. Their favorite local destination was White’s Cove at Santa

Catalina Island. Sea Drift would anchor off Hen Rock near the Newport

Harbor Yacht Club’s station at Moonstone.

Whether under way in a race or at anchor, the crew always had a

happy hour on deck each evening, with singing and good fellowship.

The crew dressed up a bit for the evening festivities.

The happy hour was followed by a five-course sit-down dinner in

the main saloon. Sea Drift was a truly happy ship in all respects.

After the 1957 Honolulu Race, Farwell and his salty crew sailed

west to explore some of the islands made famous during World War II.

When they approached French Frigate Shoals, they contacted the U.S.

Naval Commandant on the island by radio, who said “You can’t land

here, this is a secret naval base.”

When he was told that Barry Goldwater was aboard, he replied,

“please come in.’’

It developed that the Barry Goldwater in question was actually

Barry Goldwater Jr., the senator’s son, on board as a crew member of

the Sea Drift.

NEXT MONDAY: Tales of the Sea Drift continue.