Ben Carlin book: THE LAST GREAT AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURER

[Mike K]

"As for snide remarks about how he could not have done it without people giving him assistance - none, by the way, while he was risking his life - "

Can't agree with that.

Half Safe was rescued more than once on the high seas by outside assistance. During one of the initial Atlantic crossing attempts, a freighter picked them up and hoisted Half Safe aboard, Carlin was about to scuttle Half Safe when the freighter saved them. Then they were stuck in the ocean very low on petrol and radioed for help, the Portuguese navy sent out a rescue ship ..with desperately needed fuel . I call that help in anybodies language, the whole trip would have been over without outside assistance . He was helped over and over by many people.

Nobody forced Carlin to do what he did, risking his life has nothing to do with it , that was his decision and he knew the risks. These days people still die on Mt Everest regularly but they took their chances and that's the end of it.

If anybody cast any doubt on his mechanical ability Carlin would raise his fists. He regularly beat up people including a guy who helped him repair Half Safe. Short tempered he was. Calling Elinore a moron all of the time. As a youth Carlin survived a knife fight but had a deep scar on his face for the rest of his life.

The author interviewed first hand witnesses , including the surviving co-drivers and many relatives , Ben's daughter and the documents. Carlin left a trail of empty gin bottles