Anthem at Palmerston

August 15

With wind straying 30 degrees either side of stern, track to Palmerston was somewhat serpentine. Last 25 NM, however, was direct, wing and wing, with double reefed main and drifter, loose sheeted after breaking whisker pole mast-end fitting. It is now ballast and a hazard to navigation on side deck until at least Niue.

This island, a motu on the west side of an atoll, was settled by Englishman William Marsters and his three Maori wives, a freelance arrangement unrelated to the LDS. They had 17 little Marsters who subsequently had 54 more. Guessing they didn't have much else to do. It's a small bit of land, but fortunately most relatives live elsewhere. Everyone on the island, currently totalling 64, is a direct descendent named... right, divided into three family groups. Willy apparently instituted a rigorous intermarrying protocol to reduce the prospect of any pesky extra heads or undue drooling, what have you. They are reportedly very friendly. Will find out tomorrow, Monday, as Sunday is strictly a day off.

There are nine moorings just off the reef here. Well, OK, only seven now because two recently broke. Seems they are anchored by chain wrapped around coral and the Marsters don't maintain them. Uh huh. As there is reef just ahead and to starboard not to mention a very large expanse of water behind and to port (as long as the wind blows that way) Edward, my host along with his family while on the island who neglects to maintain the one Anthem is on and two others, suggested that I drop an anchor before going ashore tomorrow just in case. Depth is 20 just ahead of the bow, sounder reads 200 feet and measurement is in miles just behind the transom. Apparently he will carry it out to drop amongst the shallow coral. Yeh, OK.

Jack