Captain Ross at Club Nautico

.... A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN HERMAN ROSS---

Captain Rice,

I hope all is going well in Chicago and you are warm and cozy.

I wrote to you a while back but do not remember getting a response, so here I am again.

I spent about 35 years in the Caribbean researching maritime sailing cultures and establishing three heritage preservation organisations. I am a native of San Francisco and have been sailing for 46 years this July.

I was one of four bloods on the Bay in sailing vessels when I started and just before I left for the Caribbean I established an institute specifically created for 'urban youth' or gangs from the neighbourhoods I grew up in. I was in a couple of them back in the day and was/ am regretting our not putting the most stressed out of the populations into the most relaxing recreation there is, sailing.

My last long distance voyage, counting over a 1000 miles as long distance, was single-handed from San Francisco to Panama, with crew through the Canal and to Columbia (where I met with three other American bloods on their boats), then with crew to the Cayman Islands.

From there as a part of the same research project voyage (ISIS Invisible Sailors Invisible Ships) I again went single-handed to the Bay Islands, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, up to Mexico. I shipwrecked after 9,000 and another 450 miles to the end of the trip due to a hurricane while anchored in Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

I presently live in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England aboard our 60' Dutch sailing Tjalk with my wife, Katya and son, Samson. I have done two projects under the title Mariner Griot inwhich we put South London 'urban youth' aboard traditional sailing vessels after giving them a two-hour presentation on the history and heritage of African and African Descendant mariners (meaning builders and sailors).

I was looking for a way to join your organisation but could not find one on the website. I am also offering any assistance I can give regarding our heritage in the development of sailing.

Respect and glad you are there doing what you are doing.

H.E. Ross