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|Ship image=[[File:Trishna on the high seas.jpg|250px|alt=A single-masted yacht under sail, with crew on deck and waving.]]
|Ship caption=Yacht ''Trishna'' begins its epic circumnavigation.
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=India
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|India}}
|Ship name=Trishna
|Ship namesake=
|Ship owner= Sapper Adventure Foundation
|Ship operator= [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers]]
|Ship registry= [[Mumbai]], India
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|Ship builder= [[Nautor's Swan]]
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|Ship launched= 1970
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|Ship christened= Guinevere of Sussex
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|Ship acquired= 1984
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|Ship renamed= Trishna
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|Ship homeport= [[Mumbai]]
|Ship identification=BOM 109
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|Ship class=[[Swan 37]]
|Ship type= Yacht
|Ship tonnage= 10.5 tonnes
|Ship displacement=
|Ship length= 36 ft 6 in
|Ship beam= 10 ft 9 in
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|Ship draught= 6 ft 1 in
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'''''Trishna''''' is a [[Swan 37]] [[yacht]] belonging to the [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]] of the [[Indian Army]]. The name ''Trishna'' means “to thirst for” in the Sanskrit language.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-10|title=An Epic Circumnavigation by Sail Comes to an End|url=https://transportationhistory.org/2019/01/10/an-epic-circumnavigation-by-sail-comes-to-an-end/|access-date=2021-01-12|website=Transportation History|language=en}}</ref> The 1970-vintage boat, earlier known as ''Guinevere of Sussex'', was purchased in 1984 from the United Kingdom. The yacht has since been used for long distance ocean sailing and training. The first of the yachts' journeys after it was acquired was its voyage from [[Gosport]] to [[Mumbai]], India. Subsequently, the yacht embarked on its most notable voyage, the [[circumnavigation]] of the globe from 1985 to 1987. This was the first such achievement by an Indian crew.<ref name="telegraphindia">{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051029/asp/atleisure/story_5410344.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060603103427/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051029/asp/atleisure/story_5410344.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 3, 2006|title=An epic voyage|author=Banerjee-Bey, Yana|work=The Telegraph|date=29 October 2005}}</ref> In subsequent years, the yacht has been used for international cruises primarily in the Indian Ocean region . The Yacht currently is decommissioned and is displayed as an exhibit at the [[College of Military Engineering, Pune]] Museum.
==''TRISHNA'' – Around the Globe in Quest of Adventure<ref name="telegraphindia">http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051029/asp/atleisure/story_5410344.asp</ref>==


==Background==
The [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers]] has been synonymous with adventure since their very inception a few centuries ago. The nature of their tasks in the battlefield as well as that in peacetime, and a traditionally strong backing to encourage such activities from the highest levels within the Corps, further encourages this trait. The credit for encouraging a number of sports and adventure activities in the country goes to the [[Sappers]] – [[Mountaineering]], [[sailing]], [[gliding]] and [[hang gliding]] are some of the sports. They have always been in the forefront in activities like the [[Himalayan Car Rally]] and [[Antarctica]] Expeditions. The activities are coordinated by the [[Sapper Adventure Foundation]], which was registered in 1979. It is a member of the [[Army Adventure Foundation]].
The [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Indian Army Engineers]] have been in the forefront of adventure activities in the Country, whether on land, sea or air. They have been the pioneers in Ocean Cruising in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=z5nm1CMRAJjQxAEMzETrpQ==&ParentID=MM5cIt9VfvKPe3mnZ4iKrA== |title=Corps of Engineers - Adventure Activities |work=Official website of the Indian Army }}</ref>


The '''Sapper Adventure Foundation''' had sponsored a sailing expedition from [[Bombay]] to [[Bandar Abbas]], Iran in 1977<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/TehranJournal01Dec1977/Tehran%20Journal_01%20Dec%201977#page/n0/mode/2up |title=35 days in an open boat |date=1 December 1977 |work=Tehran Journal |location=Tehran}}</ref> in an 20-foot 1909-vintage wooden [[Seabird Half Rater|Seabird]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bombaysailing.com/seabirds.htm |title=Bombay Sailing Association |publisher=Bombaysailing.com |access-date=2013-08-24}}</ref> Class sailboat '''Albatross''' to test the sailing capabilities of the sailors of the [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]] and a precursor to the circumnavigation of the globe by the [[Sappers]] on ''Trishna''. The 68-day 7,000&nbsp;km voyage to [[Bandar Abbas]] was one of the early major ventures by the Corps.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://salute.co.in/albatross-the-seabird-that-conquered-the-seas |title=Albatross – The Seabird which Conquered the Seas |date=16 March 2021 |work=Salute |location=New Delhi}}</ref>
The Corps added another milestone to its record when the '''First Indian Sailing Expedition Around the World'''<ref name="sakaaltimes">http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5331756095609410105&SectionId=5351696313519115080&SectionName=State&NewsDate=20120111&NewsTitle=Trishna%20Magellans%20celebrate%20silver%20jubilee</ref> was launched on 28 Sept 1985 on ''Trishna'' from Mumbai by the Late [[Gen AS Vadiya]], then [[Chief of the Army Staff]]. It was a culmination of years of training and hard work by the team for a venture that is the cherished dream of every sailor – to sail around the world.


==Purchase of boat and sail from Gosport, England to Bombay, India==
==The Team==
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/PatriotNewDelhi21Feb1985/Patriot%20New%20Delhi_21%20Feb%201985#page/n0/mode/1up |title='Sappers' cruise round-the-world |date=21 February 1985 |work=The Patriot |location=New Delhi}}</ref>
The planning for the circumnavigation commenced in early 1980s and finally took off in 1984 when a team of officers from the Corps of Engineers flew to the U.K. to buy a boat and sail it back to India. Limited funds dictated the Sapper Adventure Foundation to opt for the purchase of a second-hand sailboat for the venture. After an extensive survey of the second-hand boat market in the U.K., the 1970-vintage '''[[Nautor's Swan|Swan]] 37''' boat ''Guinevere of Sussex'' was shortlisted, which was based at [[Brighton]].<ref name="Sappersto1985">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/MaharashtraHerald07Feb1985/Maharashtra%20Herald_07%20Feb%201985#page/n0/mode/2up |title=Sappers to go on World cruise |date=7 February 1985 |work=Maharashtra Herald |location=Bombay}}</ref> After purchase of the yacht, it was sailed by the crew to the Joint Services Sailing Center, [[Gosport]], U.K., now known as the Joint Services Adventure Sail Training Center,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/JSASTC/ |title=JSASTC|website=[[Facebook]] }}</ref> where it underwent minor repairs and partial essential re-fit to make it sail-worthy for the voyage back to India. The crew also underwent sail training, which was organised under the aegis of the [[Royal Engineers]]<nowiki>. Major Ron Gravels, ex-Royal Engineers, was engaged and he undertook a month-long sail training program for the crew on the Solent, English Channel crossings to Cherbourg culminating in a sail to the ports of </nowiki>[[Guernsey]] and [[Alderney]] in the [[Channel Islands]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/IndiaWeeklyLondon11Oct1984/India%20Weekly%20London_11%20Oct%201984#page/n0/mode/1up |title=Indian Army team sails around the World |date=11 October 1984 |work=India Weekly |location=London}}</ref>
[[File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 23.jpg|thumb|Trishna entering [[Gibraltar]] harbour]]
''Trishna'' set off on her first long distance voyage from the Joint Services Sailing Center, [[Gosport]], U.K. on 12 October 1984. With the onset of winter, the crew had a rough passage, especially in the [[Bay of Biscay]], [[Mediterranean Sea]] and the [[Red Sea]]. With halts at [[Alderney]] (14 October), [[A Coruña]] (20 October), [[Lisbon]] (26 October), [[Gibraltar]] (1 November), [[Ibiza]] (7 November), [[Malta]] (17 November), [[Iraklion]] (24 November), [[Port Said]] (1 December) through the [[Suez Canal]] to [[Port Suez]] (7 December),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/TheEgyptianGazetteCairo20Dec84 |title=The Egyptian Gazette 20 Dec 1984 |publisher=The Egyptian Gazette |date=1984-12-07}}</ref> [[Port Sudan]] (15 December), [[Aden]] (30 December), [[Salalah]] (10 January 1985), [[Muscat, Oman]] (19 January) and [[Bombay]] (1 February 1985).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.org/details/Blitz09Feb85
|title=Unique sailing experience |date=9 February 1985 |work=Blitz |location=Bombay }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.org/details/EveningNewsDelhi15Feb85 |title=A big yachting adventure |date=15 February 1985 |work=Evening News |location=New Delhi }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.org/details/FreePressJournalBombay02Feb85 |title=Rousing reception to yacht Trishna |date=2 February 1985 |work=Free Press Journal |location=Bombay }}</ref>


===Team===
The team consisted of ten members, with six on the boat at any one time, of which four were permanent crew. These were Maj (now Retd. as Lt Gen) KS Rao, SC, SM, the Skipper; Maj (now Retd) AK Singh, KC, SM; Capt (now Col) S Shekhar, SC and Capt (now Brig) C Bharti, SC. Capt (now Maj Gen) R Bassi, SM sailed from Mumbai to Trinidad; Maj (now Retd. as Brig) AP Singh, SM(Bar), VSM sailed from Mumbai to Panama<ref>http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/06/02/stories/0702115p.htm</ref>; Lt (now Brig) N Ahuja, SM sailed from Trinidad to New Zealand; Col (now retd. as Brig) TPS Chowdhary, AVSM, the Team Manager, sailed from Panama to Sydney; Maj (now Retd as Lt Col) A Bhattacharya, SM and Maj (now Retd) SN Mathur, SM sailed from New Zealand and Sydney back to Mumbai respectively. All the team members were accomplished sailors who had participated in many National/International Regattas and ocean cruising ventures. Col TPS Chowdhury, Maj KS Rao, Maj AP Singh, Maj AK Singh, Capt S Shekhar and Capt C Bharti had sailed ''Trishna'' from the UK to Mumbai after its purchase there – the first occasion for any Indian to make a truly trans-oceanic passage in a yacht.
The team to sail the boat back from [[Gosport]], [[United Kingdom]] to [[Bombay]], [[India]] consisted of the following members:<ref name="Sappersto1985" />


* Maj K. S. Rao, SC, SM, - '''Skipper'''
Maj AK Singh, a permanent member of the Expedition, was handicapped. His leg was amputated above the knee, and is the first handicapped sailor in the World to circumnavigate the globe in a yacht<ref name="telegraphindia" />.
* Maj Amreshwar Pratap Singh, SM (Bar), VSM
* Maj A. K. Singh, KC, SM
* Capt Sanjeev Shekhar, SC
* Capt Chandrahas Bharti, SC
* Col T. P. S. Chowdhary, AVSM, '''Team Manager''' - sailed from [[Gosport]] to [[Port Said]]
* Capt M.S. Pillai, SM - sailed from [[Port Said]] to [[Mumbai]]


Maj A. K. Singh was handicapped. His leg had been amputated above the knee after a hang gliding accident in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/SunMumbaiMar1985/Sun%20Mumbai_Mar%201985#page/n0/mode/1up |title=On a global feat |date=March 1985 |work=The Sun |location=Bombay}}</ref>
==Around the World==


==Voyages by Trishna==
Right from the time ''Trishna'' left [[Mumbai]], she ran into the low pressure of the receding monsoons. The crew experienced rough weather till [[Male]] and [[Mauritius]], owing to the disastrous Andhra Pradesh cyclone in the [[Bay of Bengal]]. The boat was hit by gales several times on 29 – 30 Sept, 01 – 12 Oct and 13 – 14 Oct 85 which damaged the VHF and HF aerials and electrical systems on board. The crew had to resort to makeshift repairs at sea to restore communications and the navigational systems.
{{see also|First Indian circumnavigation}}
* [[Gosport]]-[[Alderney]]-[[A Coruña]]-[[Lisbon]]-[[Gibraltar]]-[[Ibiza]]-[[Malta]]-[[Crete]]-[[Port Said]]-[[Suez Canal]]-[[Port Suez]]-[[Port Sudan]]-[[Aden]]-[[Salalah]]-[[Muscat, Oman|Muscat]]-[[Bombay]] in September 1984 to February 1985<ref name="The Call of the Sea">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/DelhiRecorderMar1985/Delhi%20Recorder_Mar%201985#page/n1/mode/2up |title=The Call of the Sea |work=Delhi Recorder |page=43 |date=Mar 1985}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/19850415-indian-army-corps-of-engineers-sailors-gear-up-to-sail-around-the-world-769971-2013-12-05|title=Indian Army Engineers gear up to sail around the World|date=15 April 1985 |work=India Today |location=Mumbai}}</ref>
* [[Mumbai]]-[[Lakshwadeep]]-[[Goa]]-[[Mumbai]] in April 1985<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/TOIMumbai19Apr1985/TOI%20Mumbai_19%20Apr%201985#page/n0/mode/1up |title="Trishna" is back |date=23 April 1985 |work=The Daily |location=Bombay}}</ref><ref name="The Call of the Sea"/>
* [[First Indian circumnavigation|Around the World Sailing Expedition]]: [[Bombay]]-[[Male]]-[[Mauritius]]-[[St Helena]]-[[Ascension Island]]-[[Natal, Rio Grande do Norte|Natal]]-[[Belém]]-[[Suriname]]-[[Guyana]]-[[Trinidad]]-[[Barbados]]-[[Jamaica]]-[[Colón, Panama|Colón]]-[[Panama Canal]]-[[Panama City]]-[[Galapagos]]-[[Tahiti]]-[[Suva]], [[Fiji]]-[[Auckland]]-[[Sydney]]-[[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]]-[[Bali]]-[[Jakarta]]-[[Campbell Bay (Great Nicobar)|Campbell Bay]]-[[Colombo]]-[[Bombay]]
* Goodwill Sailing Expedition:<ref name="The Times of India">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/TimesOfIndia20Oct1994/Times%20of%20India_20%20Oct%201994#page/n0/mode/1up |title="Trishna" to sail on Goodwill Mission |date=20 October 1994 |work=The Times of India |location=Mumbai}}</ref>[[Mumbai]]-[[Kochi]]-[[Galle]]-[[Campbell Bay (Great Nicobar)|Campbell Bay]]-[[Penang]]-[[Singapore]]-[[Port Kelang]]-[[Phuket (city)|Phuket]]-[[Port Blair]]-[[Goa]]-[[Mumbai]] in 1994-1995
* [[Mumbai]]-[[Dubai]]-[[Muscat, Oman|Muscat]]-[[Seychelles]]-[[Maldives]]-[[Sri Lanka]]-[[Kochi]]-[[Mumbai]] in 1996-1997<ref name="inmarsat.vsnl">{{cite web|url=http://inmarsat.vsnl.com/Indian_army.htm |title=Trishna millennium expedition – VSNL sponsors sailing expedition |publisher=Inmarsat.vsnl.com |access-date=23 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/your-week/story/19961031-indian-army-engineers-corps-sail-all-around-world-in-just-two-years-834021-1996-10-31#ssologin=1#source=magazine |first=Nandita |last=Chowdhury |title=Indian Army Engineers Corps sail all around World in just two years |publisher=India Today, Mumbai |date=31 October 1996}}</ref>
* Millennium Sailing Expedition: [[Mumbai]]-[[Kochi]]-[[Galle]]-[[Campbell Bay (Great Nicobar)|Campbell Bay]]-[[Penang]]-[[Singapore]]-[[Port Kelang]]-[[Phuket (city)|Phuket]]-[[Port Blair]]-[[Goa]]-[[Mumbai]] in 1999-2000<ref name="inmarsat.vsnl" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/000312/plus2.html |first=Laila |last=Nasry |title=Breaking waves in little yacht |publisher=The Sunday Times, Colombo |date=12 March 2000}}</ref>
* [[Mumbai]]-[[Male]]-[[Colombo]]-[[Mumbai]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ash.marinebiztv.com/?tag=sappers-adventure-foundation |title=Sappers Adventure Foundation |publisher=Ash.marinebiztv.com |access-date=2013-08-24}}</ref> in 2010.


'''Note:''' The Goodwill Sailing Expedition 1994-1995 was the first occasion when a lady member, 2/Lt. Deepanita Dass, was included as a crew member in any Indian sailing expedition.<ref name="The Times of India"/>
The journey from [[Mauritius]] to [[St Helena Islands]] (South Atlantic Ocean) around the [[Cape of Good Hope]] was very rough and the longest non-stop voyage, taking 33 days. On 05 – 06 and 12 – 13 Nov 85, when the boat was near the [[Madagascar]] and South African coasts, the crews were hit by severe gales. Towering waves repeatedly hit the stern of the boat, making steering of the boat extremely dangerous due to chances of broaching and a capsize. ''Trishna'' lost her horseshoe buoy and one Dan buoy when sea water flooded the cockpit. To ensure that the crews on watch were not washed off the deck, they had to be secured to the boat with the help of lifelines. The worst weather was encountered while rounding the dreaded [[Cape of Good Hope]], when ''Trishna'' was hit by gales with wind speeds exceeding 65 knots (120 kmph) – the wind instrument on board could record only up to 65 knots! Wave height was 45 to 55 feet – the height of our mast. She lost her safety equipment on board including the second horseshoe and Dan buoys. The radio set was damaged and the aerial broken. Communication with Mumbai and other ports was cut-off. The Cape had lived up to its reputation of being the “Cape of Storms” !


==Silver Jubilee Anniversary==
The sail across the [[South Atlantic Ocean]] thereafter was relatively peaceful till the [[Caribbean Sea]]. There was one occasion when all of a sudden the crew on duty spotted a whale lying on the surface of the water just about 25 to 30 meters ahead of the boat. Since the boat was heading directly for it, there was panic stations on board and the yacht could be jibed around just in time avoid a collision. By the time the crew recovered and could fetch their cameras, only the giant tail was visible lazily flapping for the last time before the whale disappeared underwater. It was only at [[St Helena]] that messages of our having survived the crossing the Cape could be conveyed to anxious relatives and the Army Headquarters back home. Since no repair facilities or spares were available at either [[St Helena]] or [[Ascension Island]], our next short halt, we had to make do the best within our own resources. While sailing up the [[Rio Para River]] in [[Brazil]], going to the port of [[Belem]], ''Trishna'' had to sail upstream of this tributary of the mighty [[Amazon River]] for 70 nautical miles against the current, avoiding huge floating logs. This was a dangerous venture, especially at night, as any log could have easily ruptured the fiberglass hull of ''Trishna''. A halt at Trinidad for the first crew change, and then on to Barbados and Jamaica through the numerous islands of the Caribbean, the boat encountered rough weather again during this leg with winds exceeding 30 knots. The crossing of the [[Panama Canal]], through its numerous locks in the company of huge ships, was an experience for the crew. One learnt a bit of the local history, as the canal was dug mostly using Indian laborers.
The [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers]] celebrated the silver jubilee of the historic completion of the ''[[First Indian circumnavigation]]'' on 10 January 2012 by again sailing ''Trishna'' across Mumbai harbour to the Naval Sailing Club, [[Colaba]], [[Mumbai]], the place from where she had set off on its journey in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/maharashtra/army-men-relive-historic-moment_751935.html |title=Army men relive historic moment |publisher=Zeenews.india.com |access-date=2013-08-24}}</ref>


== Gallery: Gosport-Bombay 1984-1985 ==
At [[Panama City]], the boat was taken out of the water and overhauled at the local US Naval Base. The hull was given a fresh coat of anti-fouling paint. The voyage in the northern [[Pacific Ocean]] was relatively calm. With good winds ''Trishna'' sailed 3,200 nautical miles – from [[Galapagos]] to [[Marquesas Islands]] non-stop in 23 days. This was her fastest passage so far. [[Galapagos]] are among the most beautiful islands in the world with a plethora of sea and animal life. The crew saw many sea-lions, marine and land iguanas, whale, small penguins, giant tortoises, blue and red-footed boobies, pink flamingos, frigates, pelicans and birds of different species. ''Trishna'' encountered rough weather again from [[Tahiti]] onwards, and were hit by gales up to [[Raratonga]] and beyond to [[Fiji]]. The weather was again bad from [[Fiji]] to [[Auckland]] with winds blowing over 60 knots (100 k mph) with 30 to 40 foot waves. During this storm both the main and then the jib sails were ripped apart. Even the reserve sails that were put up were torn by the strong winds. The crew had to resort to hand stitching on two occasions so as to reach [[Auckland]]. Winter had already set in the Southern Hemisphere, and the sail was extremely punishing for the crew in the wet and cold conditions, with big waves continuously breaking over the boat.
<gallery>
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 13.jpg|Puja on board after taking possession of Trishna at [[Brighton Marina]]
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 31.jpg|The team at the Joint Services Sailing Center, [[Gosport]] with Maj Gen HK 'Harry' Kapoor, Maj Gen Neil Carter, RE and Maj Ron Gravels
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 27.jpg|A training sail along the [[Solent]]
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 29.jpg|Working on the boat at the Joint Services Sailing Center, [[Gosport]]
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 33.jpg|Invoking the Sea Gods for a safe voyage before sail off from [[Gosport]]
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 44.jpg|Boat maintenance at [[La Corona]] after battling storms during the [[Bay of Biscay]] crossing
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 45.jpg|A relaxing moment with the [[Portuguese Army Commandos]] at [[Lisboa]]
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 46.jpg|Sailing out of [[Lisboa]]
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 25.jpg|Crew at the [[Royal Navy]] base at [[Gibraltar]]
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 48.jpg|Battling the seas during storms in the [[Red Sea]]


File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 50.jpg|Cleaning up during Mother's Watch routine
''Trishna'' had a perilous encounter with some whales between [[Raratonga]] and [[Fiji]]. On three occasions whales came within 10 to 15 meters of the yacht, dived underneath and swam around flipping their huge tails. Life jackets stood by, as at any moment the boat could overturn or be damaged by even a swish of the whale’s tail.
File:Trishna - The First Indian Circumnavigation 05.jpg|A calm moment in the [[Arabian Sea]]
</gallery>


==Gallery: Goodwill Sailing Expedition 1994-1995==
One of the worst journeys for ''Trishna'' was the passage from [[Auckland]] to [[Sydney]] across the [[Tasman Sea]]. This crossing in winter has a reputation rivaling that of the [[Bay of Biscay]] and the [[Cape of Good Hope]]. This leg was undertaken from 03 to 17 Aug 86 – in the peak southern winter. She was hit by a gale for five days continuously, with winds over 60 knots and 40 foot waves. The sails got torn again, and for the first time in the whole voyage, the ‘hove-to’ drill was carried out to save the boat from any major damage. No progress was made for two days. The same storm meanwhile struck [[Sydney]], causing the worst inundation of the city in the century. The crews were fully exhausted by the time the yacht limped into [[Sydney]] harbour.


{{Empty section|date=January 2021}}
The leg from [[Sydney]] to [[Brisbane]] also encountered rough weather. Winds up to 50 knots raged for about 20 hours. The voyage from [[Brisbane]] to [[Cairns]] and then onto [[Thursday Island]] was very difficult – and spectacular – owing to the sail along the [[Great Barrier Reef]]. Navigation was critical due to the numerous reefs in the area, and on one occasion the boat ran aground on a moving sandbar. There was luckily no damage, and the crew could sail off on the next high tide. The [[Torres Straits]] again caused some anxious moments, as at places it is only about a mile wide. From [[Thursday Island]] to [[Darwin]] was a pleasant sail. The crew caught many fish and re-established radio communications with India on the set.
''Trishna'' left [[Darwin]] in North Australia on 13 Oct 86 for [[Kupang]] in [[Timor]]. Initially for three days the weather was rough, but thereafter the weather steadied and the sail was calm. From [[Kupang]] the boat sailed to [[Waingapu]] in [[Sumba]], and then onto [[Bali]]. En-route the crew had their largest catch of a eight-kilogram [[Tuna]] fish. Good ‘following’ winds helped ''Trishna'' to reach [[Bali]] on 22 Oct. [[Bali]] has many [[Hindu temples]], with dances being enacted based on the [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharata]]. The crew celebrated [[Diwali]] with the locals. The atmosphere was nostalgic, this being the third Diwali away from home – and the country! The yacht set sail from [[Bali]] on 02 Nov 86, reaching [[Jakarta]] on 09 Nov, and then onto [[Singapore]], [[Penang]] and the first landfall on Indian shores at [[Campbell Bay]], [[Nicobar]] in Dec 86. It was a momentous occasion, with the whole crew present. To top it off, the Skipper received his long delayed promotion to the rank of Lt Col here. The home run via [[Colombo]] was uneventful, except for a scare given by Capt Bharti when ''Trishna'' was off the [[Malabar]] coast. He had been running high fever of over 105 degrees for a few days. All the ‘medical’ knowledge on board was unable to lessen the temperature, even despite expert medical advice on the radio. Finally he had to be treated by a Naval ship which was called in. He had apparently caught malaria at Nicobar. ''Trishna'' received a rousing welcome at the [[Gateway of India]], [[Mumbai]] on her arrival there on 10 Jan 1987 where she was received by [[General K Sundarji]], The Chief of the Army Staff. A commemorative postage stamp was also released by [[India Post]] on the occasion<ref>http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Alpha/Y/YACHT%20TRISHNA%20AND%20ROUTE%20MAP</ref>.


==References==
''Trishna'' was given the singular honour of thereafter being transported to [[New Delhi]] and displayed on a tableau as pert of the [[Republic Day Parade]], 1987 along the Raj Path<ref name="telegraphindia" />.
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}


[[Category:Ships of India]]
==Flora and Fauna==
[[Category:Individual sailing vessels]]

[[Category:Sailing yachts built in Finland]]
Sea-life was observed in plenty during the voyage. One of the prettiest sights at sea was the flocks of [[dolphins]] and [[porpoises]] following the boat for hours, and giving their display of acrobatics in water and out of it. On occasions it appeared that the whole sea was covered with them till the horizon.
[[Category:Sailboat type designs by Olin Stephens]]

[[Category:Sailboat type designs by Sparkman and Stephens]]
[[Flying-fish]] were also observed in their hundreds, skimming over the surface of the water. At night they were attracted to the yacht by its lights. This resulted in their landing on deck and hitting the duty crew on occasions. They made delicious dishes.
[[Category:1970s sailboat type designs]]

[[Category:Sailboat types built by Nautor Swan]]
The Expedition was a experience of a lifetime. There were many joyous as well as anxious and dangerous moments when the crews were close to the jaws of death. One of the major factors responsible in their being able to overcome these hazardous moments was the discipline and determination instilled within them by virtue of their training and Service background. The various sea and land life were sheer wonder; as also was their meeting with many different people across the world. It would be a mistake to underestimate the contribution of the sacrifices made by the family members of the crew during their long absences in such unpredictable circumstances, without any news till the next port. Success in such a venture cannot be achieved without this support.

Ten officers of the [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers]] in a sailboat girdled the globe – 30,000 nautical miles – in less than 16 months creating Indian maritime history<ref name="telegraphindia" />. They are the first Indians to circumnavigate the globe in a yacht. No words can describe the hazards faced by the intrepid sailors on board the ''Trishna'', so that they may fulfill the ‘thirst’ – which is the [[Sanskrit]] meaning of ''Trishna'' – of sailing around the world.


''The sea is a great mistress; she is really a magnificent lady of great stature. But as I have found out, you must treat her with enormous respect; for, she is incline, if you do not do so, to suddenly smack you with a back-hander – if ever you get too familiar with her – which can be quite disastrous.''

''You must now be crossing the Pacific, and that would be your greatest hurdle, for that ocean can be imperious and very unrelenting. It is quite an uncharitable bit of water but I am quite sure, the whole world will be watching you and praying for you, and so you must come through.''

'''''Admiral RL Pereira
Former Chief of the Naval Staff''' in a letter to a crew member, from Bangalore; dated 18 March 1986''

==Voyages by Trishna<ref>http://cdapdmeerut.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp4P11C.aspx?MnId=EuPReO4qzsiwUkSXSm8rDw==&ParentID=rO2mkrbTvH+p6yhsd0cQFw==</ref>==

* [[Gosport]], U.K. to [[Mumbai]] in Sept 1984 to Feb 1985
* [[Mumbai]]-[[Kochi]]-[[Galle]]-[[Campbell Bay]] ([[Nicobar Islands]])-[[Penang]]-[[Singapore]]-[[Port Kelang]]-[[Phuket]]-[[Port Blair]]-[[Goa]]-[[Mumbai]] in 1994-1995
* [[Mumbai]]-[[Dubai]]-[[Muscat]]-[[Seychelles]]-[[Maldives]]-[[Sri Lanka]]-[[Kochi]]-[[Mumbai]] in 1996-1997
* Millennium Expedition: [[Mumbai]]-[[Kochi]]-[[Galle]]-[[Campbell Bay]] ([[Nicobar Islands]])-[[Penang]]-[[Singapore]]-[[Port Kelang]]-[[Phuket]]-[[Port Blair]]-[[Goa]]-[[Mumbai]] in 1999-2000<ref>http://inmarsat.vsnl.com/Indian_army.htm</ref>

==Celebrating the Silver Jubilee Anniversary==

The Indian Army Corps of Engineers celebrated the silver jubilee of the historic event of the successful completion of the First Indian Sailing Expedition Around the World on 10 Jan 2012 by again sailing Trishna across Mumbai harbour to the Naval Sailing Club, Colaba, Mumbai, the place from where she had set off its voyage in 1985<ref name="sakaaltimes" />.




==References==
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Latest revision as of 10:05, 16 September 2024

A single-masted yacht under sail, with crew on deck and waving.
Yacht Trishna begins its epic circumnavigation.
History
India
NameTrishna
OwnerSapper Adventure Foundation
OperatorIndian Army Corps of Engineers
Port of registryMumbai, India
BuilderNautor's Swan
Launched1970
ChristenedGuinevere of Sussex
Acquired1984
RenamedTrishna
HomeportMumbai
IdentificationBOM 109
General characteristics
Class and typeSwan 37
TypeYacht
Tonnage10.5 tonnes
Length36 ft 6 in
Beam10 ft 9 in
Draught6 ft 1 in
Sail planSloop
Crew6

Trishna is a Swan 37 yacht belonging to the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army. The name Trishna means “to thirst for” in the Sanskrit language.[1] The 1970-vintage boat, earlier known as Guinevere of Sussex, was purchased in 1984 from the United Kingdom. The yacht has since been used for long distance ocean sailing and training. The first of the yachts' journeys after it was acquired was its voyage from Gosport to Mumbai, India. Subsequently, the yacht embarked on its most notable voyage, the circumnavigation of the globe from 1985 to 1987. This was the first such achievement by an Indian crew.[2] In subsequent years, the yacht has been used for international cruises primarily in the Indian Ocean region . The Yacht currently is decommissioned and is displayed as an exhibit at the College of Military Engineering, Pune Museum.

Background

[edit]

The Indian Army Engineers have been in the forefront of adventure activities in the Country, whether on land, sea or air. They have been the pioneers in Ocean Cruising in India.[3]

The Sapper Adventure Foundation had sponsored a sailing expedition from Bombay to Bandar Abbas, Iran in 1977[4] in an 20-foot 1909-vintage wooden Seabird[5] Class sailboat Albatross to test the sailing capabilities of the sailors of the Corps of Engineers and a precursor to the circumnavigation of the globe by the Sappers on Trishna. The 68-day 7,000 km voyage to Bandar Abbas was one of the early major ventures by the Corps.[6]

Purchase of boat and sail from Gosport, England to Bombay, India

[edit]

[7] The planning for the circumnavigation commenced in early 1980s and finally took off in 1984 when a team of officers from the Corps of Engineers flew to the U.K. to buy a boat and sail it back to India. Limited funds dictated the Sapper Adventure Foundation to opt for the purchase of a second-hand sailboat for the venture. After an extensive survey of the second-hand boat market in the U.K., the 1970-vintage Swan 37 boat Guinevere of Sussex was shortlisted, which was based at Brighton.[8] After purchase of the yacht, it was sailed by the crew to the Joint Services Sailing Center, Gosport, U.K., now known as the Joint Services Adventure Sail Training Center,[9] where it underwent minor repairs and partial essential re-fit to make it sail-worthy for the voyage back to India. The crew also underwent sail training, which was organised under the aegis of the Royal Engineers. Major Ron Gravels, ex-Royal Engineers, was engaged and he undertook a month-long sail training program for the crew on the Solent, English Channel crossings to Cherbourg culminating in a sail to the ports of Guernsey and Alderney in the Channel Islands.[10]

Trishna entering Gibraltar harbour

Trishna set off on her first long distance voyage from the Joint Services Sailing Center, Gosport, U.K. on 12 October 1984. With the onset of winter, the crew had a rough passage, especially in the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. With halts at Alderney (14 October), A Coruña (20 October), Lisbon (26 October), Gibraltar (1 November), Ibiza (7 November), Malta (17 November), Iraklion (24 November), Port Said (1 December) through the Suez Canal to Port Suez (7 December),[11] Port Sudan (15 December), Aden (30 December), Salalah (10 January 1985), Muscat, Oman (19 January) and Bombay (1 February 1985).[12][13][14]

Team

[edit]

The team to sail the boat back from Gosport, United Kingdom to Bombay, India consisted of the following members:[8]

  • Maj K. S. Rao, SC, SM, - Skipper
  • Maj Amreshwar Pratap Singh, SM (Bar), VSM
  • Maj A. K. Singh, KC, SM
  • Capt Sanjeev Shekhar, SC
  • Capt Chandrahas Bharti, SC
  • Col T. P. S. Chowdhary, AVSM, Team Manager - sailed from Gosport to Port Said
  • Capt M.S. Pillai, SM - sailed from Port Said to Mumbai

Maj A. K. Singh was handicapped. His leg had been amputated above the knee after a hang gliding accident in 1981.[15]

Voyages by Trishna

[edit]
See also: First Indian circumnavigation

Note: The Goodwill Sailing Expedition 1994-1995 was the first occasion when a lady member, 2/Lt. Deepanita Dass, was included as a crew member in any Indian sailing expedition.[19]

Silver Jubilee Anniversary

[edit]

The Indian Army Corps of Engineers celebrated the silver jubilee of the historic completion of the First Indian circumnavigation on 10 January 2012 by again sailing Trishna across Mumbai harbour to the Naval Sailing Club, Colaba, Mumbai, the place from where she had set off on its journey in 1985.[24]

Gallery: Gosport-Bombay 1984-1985

[edit]
  • Puja on board after taking possession of Trishna at Brighton Marina
    Puja on board after taking possession of Trishna at Brighton Marina
  • The team at the Joint Services Sailing Center, Gosport with Maj Gen HK 'Harry' Kapoor, Maj Gen Neil Carter, RE and Maj Ron Gravels
    The team at the Joint Services Sailing Center, Gosport with Maj Gen HK 'Harry' Kapoor, Maj Gen Neil Carter, RE and Maj Ron Gravels
  • A training sail along the Solent
    A training sail along the Solent
  • Working on the boat at the Joint Services Sailing Center, Gosport
    Working on the boat at the Joint Services Sailing Center, Gosport
  • Invoking the Sea Gods for a safe voyage before sail off from Gosport
    Invoking the Sea Gods for a safe voyage before sail off from Gosport
  • Boat maintenance at La Corona after battling storms during the Bay of Biscay crossing
    Boat maintenance at La Corona after battling storms during the Bay of Biscay crossing
  • A relaxing moment with the Portuguese Army Commandos at Lisboa
    A relaxing moment with the Portuguese Army Commandos at Lisboa
  • Sailing out of Lisboa
    Sailing out of Lisboa
  • Crew at the Royal Navy base at Gibraltar
    Crew at the Royal Navy base at Gibraltar
  • Battling the seas during storms in the Red Sea
    Battling the seas during storms in the Red Sea
  • Cleaning up during Mother's Watch routine
    Cleaning up during Mother's Watch routine
  • A calm moment in the Arabian Sea
    A calm moment in the Arabian Sea

Gallery: Goodwill Sailing Expedition 1994-1995

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "An Epic Circumnavigation by Sail Comes to an End". Transportation History. 2019-01-10. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  2. ^ Banerjee-Bey, Yana (29 October 2005). "An epic voyage". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on June 3, 2006.
  3. ^ "Corps of Engineers - Adventure Activities". Official website of the Indian Army.
  4. ^ "35 days in an open boat". Tehran Journal. Tehran. 1 December 1977.
  5. ^ "Bombay Sailing Association". Bombaysailing.com. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  6. ^ "Albatross – The Seabird which Conquered the Seas". Salute. New Delhi. 16 March 2021.
  7. ^ "'Sappers' cruise round-the-world". The Patriot. New Delhi. 21 February 1985.
  8. ^ a b "Sappers to go on World cruise". Maharashtra Herald. Bombay. 7 February 1985.
  9. ^ "JSASTC". Facebook.
  10. ^ "Indian Army team sails around the World". India Weekly. London. 11 October 1984.
  11. ^ "The Egyptian Gazette 20 Dec 1984". The Egyptian Gazette. 1984-12-07.
  12. ^ "Unique sailing experience". Blitz. Bombay. 9 February 1985.
  13. ^ "A big yachting adventure". Evening News. New Delhi. 15 February 1985.
  14. ^ "Rousing reception to yacht Trishna". Free Press Journal. Bombay. 2 February 1985.
  15. ^ "On a global feat". The Sun. Bombay. March 1985.
  16. ^ a b "The Call of the Sea". Delhi Recorder. Mar 1985. p. 43.
  17. ^ "Indian Army Engineers gear up to sail around the World". India Today. Mumbai. 15 April 1985.
  18. ^ ""Trishna" is back". The Daily. Bombay. 23 April 1985.
  19. ^ a b ""Trishna" to sail on Goodwill Mission". The Times of India. Mumbai. 20 October 1994.
  20. ^ a b "Trishna millennium expedition – VSNL sponsors sailing expedition". Inmarsat.vsnl.com. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  21. ^ Chowdhury, Nandita (31 October 1996). "Indian Army Engineers Corps sail all around World in just two years". India Today, Mumbai.
  22. ^ Nasry, Laila (12 March 2000). "Breaking waves in little yacht". The Sunday Times, Colombo.
  23. ^ "Sappers Adventure Foundation". Ash.marinebiztv.com. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  24. ^ "Army men relive historic moment". Zeenews.india.com. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
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