The disappearance of two teenage sailors is a mystery.

[@johnphilp598]

Well done, Chris. That was very well done. You have definitely got some work to do moving forward now you've set the bar that high. And,you couldn't have chosen a better weekend to do the trip, magical coastline. I, too, have spent so much time fishing and diving in those clear and cold waters. One thing that can not be underrated and goes to dads character is that despite such a tragedy ( I can't begin to imagine losing one of my kids, let alone not ever having a body to bury or any sort of real resolution), John(dad), never once held my brother or myself back with our endavours. Im sure most parents would find the biggest ball of cotton wool and wrap their kids up in it. Coles Bay was our playground. We would disappear all day, be it climbing the mountains or swimming on any one of the beaches. And then when we were a little older sailing dinghys, surfing, and wave sailing in some of the states roughest places. He only ever once ( that he expressed to me) had reservations about one of my wave sailing adventures to the wild West Coast. And it seems that i took over Maurice as the dolly boy in dads boat building, too. Hours spent as a young boy helping in the shed at all hours of the day and night. That tradgedy was never really spoken about in our growing up. I am forever grateful that he somehow managed not to let it have an effect on our lives. And boy, did we do some stuff that im sure he would have been quite displeased with😅😅 . Keep the quality coming mate, it always has me reminiscing back to good times and places..

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

A touching and sad story, very well told. Great work on the editing, too.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Thanks Barry.

[@AJDavis-t9e]

A great tribute to John, and Robert and Maurice , young adventurers who's lives were cut short doing what they loved

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Thanks. Hoping to learn from and carry on their legacy cheers Chris.

[@SailingKateLouise]

Very nice Chris , a lot of work in this one, much appreciated, cheers Paul

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

If you know, you know. Mutual respect.

[@petermarks5629]

A very sad story beautifully presented. It certainly adds to the Sarah Ann history. Thank you Chris

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

It’s the start of a new season for Sarah Ann.

[@dreamtimesv]

Congratulations on a very well produced tribute to the young lads, and in filling in more of the history of Sarah Ann.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

The challenge is to keep up the momentum now. Thanks

[@AllanKing-om3ur]

Well told Chris. Yes truly a tragic story. I went down to the passage at that time with Noel Mundy and my father on Noel's 23ft Frey, and we were asked to keep an eye out for the boys. We were there when Roberts body was found. I was 15 and the memory is still vivid. Very sad.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Thanks Alan. The ripples of such a tragedy expand and so many people are left hurting and wondering why. I remember Frey well (Freya?) I ran into Penny Mundy on the beach one night while filming this. She would row one of Noel’s little dinghies out to the point and set her net in years gone by. David, John’s youngest adopted Sons still lives in the original Philp shack. I had a nice long chat with him too. John Tasman also made contact from WA where he now resides. Cheers Chris

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Brilliant stuff Chris. Lots of work in that one! Keep it up...Mat & Jo.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Thanks Mat and Jo. You know that feeling when you’ve put your heart and soul into cobbling a video together and you press publish. With your heart in your mouth in case it bombs! Well this one has taken off like a frog in a sock. Very satisfying. I’m concentrating on quality not quantity. Stuff the KZbin algorithm! Getting back to enjoying the process rather than measuring metrics that don’t really matter much at all. What counts is the conversation and the relationship it generates. That’s what I’ll put my time into.

[@sailorpete136]

Great history lesson, not to mention the scenic tour that would rival any tourism promotion.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

I do appreciate your sentiments. A lot goes into these videos cheers Chris

[@aussiebaz5363]

He was my age. I found one annoying thing about this brilliant doco, it took me some time and some google research to establish that it took place in Tasmania, a hint was "Wine Glass Bay", that fact was never mentioned, a rather critical oversight. I suspected it was, but none of the names rang a bell. Even the spelling of the bay and island names are obscure, making it difficult to search. If you said " This is set on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, then wrote the names of the area, it would have been much easier to understand the situation, rather than to expect the viewers to know. They would have been 70 now, like me.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll take it onboard for the next video. There is a lot of background info in the description that you might find interesting. Cheers Chris

[@stevewolf7205]

Even if that was a tragedy I like how you put a lot of tassie history in your videos Chris good stuff 👌 cheers steve

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

I guess it’s just something I’ve always been fascinated with Steve. My parents were both teachers and they instilled a love of history and I suppose I’ve internalised a lot of that so when I make a video it just comes out kinda naturally.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

And thanks for your loyalty. Always good to hear from you. In case you’re wondering if you decided to focus on quality rather than quantity. Putting a video out every week is very demanding and I just wasn’t getting the return on my time where as I find putting out a video once a month and making sure an absolute winner is a far better outcome

[@kitty2u]

Great video😊

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Thank you 😁

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

Well, what do I say? If your intention was to produce a historical documentary and an account of endeavour, its price, and its legacy, you most certainly achieved that to a very high standard. No wonder you cherish Sarah Anne. No wonder you cherish life. Thank you so much for the content.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Stirring words. You’ve lifted my spirits. I feel as though I have just gone through a difficult labour and given birth to a mini legend.

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

@@SmallSailboatCruising And that is the way that it presents. Well done!

[@jeroenvanrixel7980]

Tragically both lads lost their lives as a result of some such mishap with Robert's body being recovered the next day on the western side of Schouten Island, fully clothed and wearing two buoyancy aids. Maurice however, was never found. The inquest found that Robert had "died of asphyxia resulting from the inhalation of sand, brought about by misadventure while sailing a dinghy in Tasmanian waters."

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

That is consistent with the many conversations I’ve had with family and friends. The coroners report you have quoted remains sealed for another 23 years beyond the 52 already transpired. One source has suggested the second life jacket (which belonged to Pam Philp) was tied on backwards - but that hasn’t been confirmed.

[@jeroenvanrixel7980]

@@SmallSailboatCruising first nice video you shared about Tasmania the surroundings looks stunning. I googled the history not much information about it . What reason the coronors have for keeping their findings sealed ? . Really sad story . Regards from a fan from Argentina.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Crazy laws here. Not that there is anything to cover up transparency would make learning possible.

[@davelawrence6777]

Hoping all is well with haven't seen a post in awhile

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Thanks for reaching out Dave. After the last video I was a bit burnt out. It was Tha culmination of a 2 year dream I had to tell the Maurice Philp story and I think it came together quite well. Sarah Ann had been a big focus for me for the last couple of years. My wife was getting a bit jealous! So I spent several weeks building an accessibility garden. A beautiful space where she can sit and contemplate while I’m off sailing. I also rebuilt the workshop where Sarah Ann is now awaiting her winter maintenance. I’m starting to feel creative again! I’ve been developing my videography skills and dreaming up the next trip. Take care. Chris.

[@chrismassie1199]

A sad story indeed. I was about 7 years old when it happened. And was with my father on the fisheries patrol boat Biarri. We were diverted to look for the boys. My father found one of the bodies. And we took it back on the Biarri to coles bay. I also remember my father saying he had two lifejackets on, It was quite confronting for me i can recall . 29:39

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Sorry I took so long. Getting back to you. I’ve been doing some research on the name of that vessel that you were on board. Are you sure about the name? There’s one that was built in 1923. That was the original fisheries allura or something like that. I’d like to track down that boat if you have any more info it would be appreciated. I just had John Philp Jones son and his wife around for dinner when visiting from Western Australia. They also fill me in on some of the background. Thanks for keeping in touch cheers Chris.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

It would be good if you could connect with me through Facebook Messenger

[@chrismassie1199]

Yes it was Definitely the Biarri not sure of the spelling though. It was a savage fibreglass boat about 30 foot long with twin GM diesel s. Very noisy. Dad would of remembered more details but unfortunately he passed away 8 months ago. My uncle who is still alive would know more about the boat as he worked in fisheries for a while.

[@TravisRead-q6f]

A tragic story well told.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Indeed. When I take kids out in that boat it triggers some deep emotions.

[@mitchphilp2756]

Is there any way I would be able to chat to you? As he was my uncle.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

@@mitchphilp2756 absolutely Mitch. So glad you reached out. I’ve been in a conversation with many close to the tragedy. Most recently with Gus Cartledge. Son of Cecil. He would be about your vintage and stayed with your family sometimes. Maybe you remember him? Now the best way to link up is through messenger. I don’t like sharing my phone number here in KZbin. If you search for Chris sly Or sailing moonlight. On Facebook that will get us connected. I very much look forward to meeting you. Kindly Chris.

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Hi Mitch. You can email me. [e-mail]

[@dustinfrost5214]

Sad but realistically they simply sunk

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

My best mate found their boat. It was undamaged. Sails set and partly submerged after 3 days drifting four miles from the accident

[@JCGible]

🫶

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

Thanks