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Louis BernicoFamous sailor-yachtsman
Country:
 France |
A Biography of Louis Bernico
Louis Bernico, a famous sailor-yachtsman, is considered one of the most renowned seafarers. Born in 1883 in Brittany, known for its brave sailors and fishermen, Bernico grew up on the shores of the Atlantic and started sailing at a young age. After graduating from nautical school, he served on large sailing ships and eventually became a captain. He spent most of his life on ships, mastering the art of navigation.
In 1934, after retiring, Bernico settled in his hometown. However, the monotonous life on land did not suit his adventurous spirit. The memories of the open seas haunted him. Since his youth, he had dreamt of embarking on a solo voyage across the ocean. Bernico developed a project for a single-handed yacht and in 1935, he ordered it from a famous shipyard in Carantec. The yacht was named "La P'tite Louise" and was a 12.5-meter long Bermuda sloop with a practical interior layout and a small auxiliary engine.
The prudent sailor installed a small wheelhouse on the deck to be able to steer the yacht even in the worst weather conditions. The yacht had tanks for 400 liters of fresh water and 40 liters of fuel for the engine. On August 22, 1936, Bernico quietly set sail from Carantec, with only a few close friends knowing about his plan. Despite facing opposition from his family, he defied their wishes and embarked on his dream journey.
Initially, the voyage did not cause Bernico many troubles. However, soon he encountered his first problems. Due to his haste, he had not properly tested the yacht, and it did not hold its course when the helm was fixed. He had to deviate from his planned route and temporarily interrupt the journey. He stopped in Funchal, Madeira, where he repaired the yacht. After a short break, the lone sailor set off again.
Bernico coped well with the solitude. However, solo sailing kept him busy with tasks such as repairing sails, navigation calculations, cooking, and many other activities. The only downside was the lack of sleep, but that was a common challenge for solo sailors. The yacht persevered, following the route set by Bernico. Passing the Cape Verde Islands, it entered the doldrums, where the auxiliary engine came in handy.
In the tropics, the hull of the yacht quickly became covered in algae. Bernico tried to clean it with a special brush. Despite his extensive experience at sea, he had never been so close to ocean life. Finally, after many days at sea, the long-awaited shores of South America appeared, and he docked at the port of Mar del Plata, leaving the La Plata River to starboard. After crossing 3,000 miles of ocean, the sailor needed rest, and the yacht needed repairs.
Modest and somewhat shy by nature, Bernico avoided attention and spent most of his time on his beloved yacht. With his worn-out suit and an old cap, he resembled a provincial teacher rather than a renowned sailor. On December 22, Bernico embarked on the next leg of his journey, sailing along the coast of Argentina. The strong, often headwinds posed significant challenges for him.
The further south Bernico traveled, the more difficult the voyage became. After two weeks, he encountered an exceptionally severe storm. He had to battle the elements for hours. On January 8, 1937, he decided to take a short rest. However, as soon as he descended into the cabin, a massive wave engulfed the sailboat. Despite sustaining multiple injuries, Bernico managed to climb back onto the deck and save his vessel from sinking. After the storm subsided, he endured many more hardships before reaching Cape Virgenes. Finally, the sight of the Strait of Magellan, which his famous predecessor Ferdinand Magellan had once crossed, greeted him.
When the exhausted Bernico brought his yacht to a small bay to rest, low tide struck (the tidal range in the area was 13 meters). The next morning, he discovered that his yacht was firmly grounded due to the significant tilt. The boat regained its freedom only with the high tide.
With great difficulty, Bernico maneuvered around Cape Pilar and set his yacht on a course towards the Pacific Ocean. Although equipped with an engine, it often malfunctioned, making the crossing even more challenging. When a strong northwesterly wind blew, "La P'tite Louise" was thrown off course, just as it had happened to Joshua Slocum forty years prior. When a favorable tailwind finally emerged, Bernico knew that the worst was behind him. With regret, he passed Easter Island as entering the port was too dangerous.
His life as a maritime recluse settled into a routine. He woke up early in the morning and enjoyed a cup of coffee. Around 7 am, he ate breakfast, consisting of biscuits and coffee with milk. At noon, he determined his position, prepared lunch, which usually comprised potatoes with rice and meat, followed by jam for dessert. He either had leftovers or cooked rice porridge for dinner.
Bernico sailed in the Pacific Ocean, combating calm winds for weeks before entering the southeast trade wind zone. After several more weeks, he reached the Gambier Islands and then Tahiti. A difficult journey to the Fiji Islands lay ahead. The Coral Sea, initially calm, turned treacherous and dangerous. Bernico crossed the Torres Strait, the Arafura Sea, and the Timor Sea. Then came the crossing of the Indian Ocean, passing Mauritius and Reunion Islands, and finally reaching Durban on November 6, 1937. After rounding the Cape of Good Hope and benefiting from strong tailwinds, he swiftly sailed along the coast of Africa. He made stops in Pointe-Noire (formerly French Congo) and the Azores. This part of the journey was uneventful.
On a rainy morning on May 30, 1938, "La P'tite Louise" sailed into the mouth of the Gironde River, powered only by its sails. This less colorful but remarkable voyage came to an end.
In the following years, Bernico continued to sail on his yacht, both in winter and summer. Sadly, he met his demise in the autumn of 1952 when he fell from the mast of his yacht.
