GPA wanted in Australia to build Half-Safe Replica

[Lynn Eades]

Jan, On the Fordbarn forum is a chap in Perth who is actually working on getting Halfsafe running. I assume the same people doing the TV programme have instigated the "getting her running". She is only required to be able to be driven around. Not swim.
I can send the guy a personal message and ask him for some contact details if you need them.
Halfsafe resides at the school north of Perth where Ben Carlin went to school.
(I cannot recall the name of the town.
I have seen a few pictures of Halfsafe taken in the last few weeks and I doubt she would float for long.
I imagine it would be a big undertaking to copy her. She underwent a big rebuild in Birmingham after The Atlantic crossing so has existed in at least one other form than the current (bigger)version.
A man with a dream! .... Crazy. Interesting subject. An amazing and sad story really.

[Lynn Eades]

Halfsafe as she sits

Half 14 S.jpg HALF 4 S.jpg Half 9 S.jpg

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Lynn,
We actually had Half Safe attend the Corowa GPA Swim-In in 1999 and it was made roadworthy for the parade, by the late Bob Dimer. I recall Jan driving it across the campsite. There was no way the school would have let it go in the water, it is kept in its own glass fronted building at Guildford Grammar School, WA.

regards, Richard

[Lynn Eades]

Thats the place Richard, where it is in the photos.

[Mike K]

If anyone wants to learn about Ben Carlin's epic adventures, then a good starting point - get hold of his book HALF SAFE . There are plenty of used copies around . The book is a first hand story written by the guy himself.

Channel 7 are only interested in ratings . I wouldn't let them or any TV station anywhere near a GPA - they are likely to do horrible stunts with a GPA , even sinking it for the dramatic effect . I wonder if Channel 7 will mention the book and promote it, I very much doubt they will . Mike

[Richard Farrant]

There was another book by Ben Carlin, called "The Other Half of Half-Safe" and published by Guildford Grammar School. It covers the initial journey ending in England, then the period of rebuilding and the continuation of the journey through Europe, Asia, Australia, Japan, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, Canada and back to Montreal.
ISBN 0 9598731 1 2
A recommended read.

cheers Richard

[motto]

There is a third book titled 'Once a Fool' written by a fellow named Boye De Mente who was co-driver from Tokyo to Alaska after Ben's wife Elinore went home to the states.
It gives a different view of Ben whilst taking nothing away from his abilities as a seaman, navigator and mechanic.
Somewhere there is also a TV program featuring interviews with Ben, possibly by Lowell Thomas and/or National Geographic.
Another program was a segment on the ABC's now defunct 'Can We Help' TV series. This can be viewed on Youtube. Type in Ben Carlin.

David

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

1955 Newsreel footage of Half Safe swimming near Melbourne, before my time, but I do have a copy of the book signed by the Carlins from that visit. Great story indeed, and amazing to see it at Corowa in '99, no idea it was yellow until then, never showed up in the B/W photos!
Rich.

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/th...uery/Melbourne