Having recently finished restoring a 50-year-old Mirror dinghy, I was once again drawn to read one of my favourite sailing books, THE UNLIKELY VOYAGE of Jack de Crow by A.J. Mackinnon.
While this book, published ten years ago, is well known among the dinghy sailing fraternity, it may be less so for others, and it’s a delightful read for sailors and non-sailors alike. As the title suggests, the story focuses on the unusual, hazardous and ‘unlikely’ journey of an Australian teacher through England and Europe in a ten-foot Mirror sailing dinghy.
Having finished a five-year stint as a teacher at a private school in England, Mackinnon decides to say farewell to his colleagues and students from a restored Mirror dinghy, setting sail for a few lazy days on a local river. But as the blurb says, “A couple of quiet weeks sailing the River Severn was the intention. Somehow things got out of hand – a year later I had reached Romania and was still going…”
Anyone who has ever owned a Mirror dinghy, the instantly recognisable, red-sailed boat in which the voyager travels, will appreciate the enormity of Mackinnon’s undertaking. Furthermore, the story is made even more incredible as the author sets out with no further thoughts than to spend a few lazy days on a local river!
Armed with little more than a backpack, a map, a pith helmet, and a sense of humour, Mackinnon takes on an incredible journey through England, across the English Channel to Europe, crossing seas, rivers and lakes in a vessel that should never have made it further than London! The story typifies the adventurous, Australian spirit, as he turns a few days’ journey into a year-long adventure. And yet the author’s sailing achievement is not the only thing to be admired.
The book is beautifully written with lyrical, almost poetic descriptions of every place and every waterway that he explores. For the reader it becomes very much a visual experience. Every chapter commences with a literary quote, reflecting the author’s teaching background and his wonderful command of the English language. Not only that, Mackinnon’s knowledge of the natural flora and fauna is extraordinary. Vivid descriptions of flowers, trees and plants along with birds and waterfowl are included in the journey, allowing the reader to picture the voyage every step of the way.
The journey itself is re-told with cheerfulness and humour that allows the reader to be fully immersed alongside the author and to laugh at every mishap along the way. Crossing the Channel for example. “I have been travelling for five hours now, and I really am expecting to see signs of Europe. It is quite a large place, I believe.”
The incredible voyage is fraught with hazards and dangers, from dried-up river beds, to dangerous currents, being kidnapped by pirates and being baffled by bureaucracy. But Mackinnon takes every obstacle in his stride, frequently depending on the generosity of complete strangers in every country through which he passes. All done on a shoestring budget, and never with the intention nor preparation of a major voyage. No tech giants or other corporate sponsors were involved, just the kindness of strangers and a willingness to take on a challenge and say, ‘why not?’
A book I have read several times and can highly recommend.
Written by Author Clive Thomas
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Published February 2025