Seashells and fishing

The cruise of the Francois 1928 Seashells and fishing 2nd to 5th June 1928 The south-easterly continued and on the morning of 2nd June they again proceeded south. The choppy head sea subsided by early afternoon as the wind eased up. They found sheltered anchorage under the north-west side of Knight Island. Norm, George and Barrie climbed the highest peak on the island, a marathon 457 feet. Barrie described the view from the top of the peak – “… the view from the top was immense – a dazzling expanse of gloriously blue sea shimmering in the dancing sunlight and gem studded on every hand and with islands of infinite variety as to size and contour, and with the mountains of the mainland showing in a wonderful mauve tinted haze for background, as far as the eye could see.” Mac was reluctant to join the climbers, so he fished on board and caught two 20lb cod and one 45 lb cod and a large schnapper. When he hooked a large shark and hauled it alongside the boat he called for the rifle but the shark slipped the hook. By the following morning, the wind had dropped and the next leg of their journey took them to Percy Isle where they anchored at their former mooring. The passing showers on their arrival did not deter Mac, Barrie and George from going fishing. While George and his wife visited Mr White, Bill and Norman went to the creek and found the largest oysters they had ever seen – it took three mouthfuls to finish off just one oyster. While anchored at Percy Isle the next morning, 60 gallons of water replenished their supply on board the yacht. It was another bright, clear morning when they left for High Peak Island. Upon reaching the island, Mac, Frances Ann, Bill and Barrie went ashore and explored the reef. They declared this the most interesting spot they had landed on during the entire trip. The life in the rock pools and on the sand and mud under rocks and coral growths was remarkable. They saw beche-de-mer, crayfish, and hundreds of clam shells of various sizes, four of which they took back to the ship as souvenirs. A pleasant, clear evening was spent on deck under a glorious moon. George had battles with several large cod that broke his tackle four times.