In Memory of Rowland Smith, Feisty Lady, written by Frenzy II

Dear Family and certain Friends; We (our collective

> sailing group here in HaAFeva) had a disaster here

> which will most likely require us to return to

> Nuku'Alofa. At about 7 AM a major storm, can't

> really call it a squall, came through the anchorage

> as part of front above a low, with 40-50 knots

> sustained for more than 2 hours. Some of yachts said

> there were gusts and periods of sustained winds in

> the 60s. I wouldn't know because I was too busy

> trying to take pressure off the anchor. We are in an

> anchorage with reefs to the north, west and south

> and the island to the east. Ordinarily a reasonably

> protected anchorage. In minutes, inside the reef

> where we were, we had seas up to 8 feet and maybe

> more. We were on a lee shore as the wind backed from

> N to NW to W for most of the time. Every one had

> problems and some dragged and had to fight their way

> off the shore before they hit. Feisty Lady a Formosa

> 46 ( I think) with Rowland and Kris Smith were not

> so lucky. They dragged and eventually lost their 2

> main anchors. They were able to deploy a third which

> helped them drive off the reef. At times they were

> on their side and the stem and rudder post sustained

> damage but not fatal. Rowland was able eventually

> able to get off when the winds dropped into the 20s.

> He motored out to where we were (we were all doing

> the same) and re-anchored, but fearing another storm

> and not trusting his 3rd anchor, he and Kris went

> back in the dingy to try and retrieve one of the

> main anchors. After a few unsuccessful minutes of

> that he returned to Feisty Lady and snorkeled on the

> anchor to see how it was set. Kris said he was so

> weak he could hardly get back in the dingy. Having

> secured Frenzy we started over to Feisty to see what

> help they needed as did Al on Abel Tasman. Roland

> was in his bunk having a fast pulse and tingling in

> his chest. We thought it was over exertion and

> anxiety as his pulse seemed to be coming down. Jim

> from Arensa came and between Al (Ambulance driver)

> and Jim (Kiwi Navy medic) we thought Roland was

> under control but gave him aspirin. Jim stayed to

> keep an eye on him and Al and I and 2 boys (Aden &

> Jack) from Exotic Escort went to look for and

> retrieve the anchors. This we did and

> re-deployed his big one. While we were doing so,

> there was a cry from the cockpit for Al to come and

> help with CPR. They did so for more than 15-20

> minutes and even with epinephrine could not get a

> heart beat.

> The Tongan Navy is on their way as I write and we

> will either tow Feisty Back to Nuku'Alofa or sail

> here with them standing by. The plan is to shanghai

> Aden to crew on either Frenzy or Feisty. We will

> help Kris work things out and have offered the

> use of the condo. We have known them since Panama in

> '98. Rowland was a highly decorated (Viet Nam) Air

> Force Colonel and F4 fighter pilot and a neat low

> key guy.

***