Classic Boat – August 2019

(^16) CLASSIC BOAT AUGUST 2019
Tell Tales
Classic Boat’s address:
Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place,
London, SW3 3TQ
[email protected]
Follow the Classic Boat team
on Twitter and Facebook
ARCTIC EXPLORATION
Integrity's crew
conquer Jan Meyen
Having overwintered in the ice-free harbour of Husavik on the north coast of
Greenland, the Stirling and Sons gaƒ cutter Integrity found herself bound for the
isolated island of Jan Meyen in May, with a crew of ‘gentlemen explorers’
determined to summit the active volcano.
Integrity is a 43ft (13.1m) larch-on-oak gaƒ cutter launched in 2012 but built
along the lines of traditional 1880s gentleman’s yacht (CB292). She looks every
inch the perfect vessel for a Victorian gentleman adventurer – or his modern
counterpart.
That would be Will Stirling, Integrity’s owner and skipper, who led the voyage
and described Jan Meyen as "an irresistible challenge; a small island in the Arctic
Ocean, with no safe anchorages on which there is an active volcano with glaciated
slopes and in classic cone form."
As these spectacular images attest, the voyage was completed with aplomb.
Will emailed CB to confirm his exploits in suitably telegraphic style: “Island
located, navigation by sextant, mishaps overcome, volcano summited, legs tired,
safely back home.” The expedition also collected snow and air samples for King's
College London, and these will be analysed to look for plastic contamination.
Integrity’s next destination is east Greenland with the aim of entering
Scoresby Sound, the largest fjord in the world. Presuming the ice can be
negotiated, an attempt will be made to circumnavigate an island within the fjord
system called Milne Land. Three walking routes have been identified that will be
undertaken if the sea ice conditions are appropriate.
There’s also a plan to explore the Kangerlusuak fjord system. "Should the ice
permit, extraordinary geological formations and ancient Inuit sites will be visited
among the colossal splendour of the mountainous ice fringed inlet," reckons
Integrity's bold and classically-inspired skipper.
WILL STIRLING
From top: Integrity's crew
(L-R) Paul Mattin, Chris Miller,
Will Stirling, Arthur Hamel,
Justin Holt; Flying the flag at
the summit; Integrity at
anchor; ashore on Jan Meyen