Messing About in Boats*: The Amazing Adventure of Bob Manry
BROWSE ALL IMAGES IN THIS COLLECTION
Robert Manry and family, 1965.
Douglas Manry and Robin Manry wave to Robert Manry, 1965.
Robert Manry in sailboat Tinkerbelle, 1965.
Bill Jorgensen with Robert Manry aboard Tinkerbelle, 1965.
Virginia Manry kisses her husband, Robert Manry as he arrives in Falmouth, England, after his 78-day voyage.
Robert Manry receiving key to the city from Cleveland Mayor Ralph Locher, 1965.
On June 1, 1965 Robert Manry, a copy editor for the Plain Dealer and a Willowick, Ohio resident, left Falmouth, Massachusetts aboard his 13.5-foot sailboat, Tinkerbelle, to begin his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. He arrived in Falmouth, England seventy-eight days later on August 17, 1965. At the time of the crossing Tinkerbelle was the smallest boat to have ever crossed the Atlantic.
This website is a compilation of materials related to the events that led up to that journey, the trip itself and the events following. It includes an e-book version of Manry's book Tinkerbelle, approximately 150 photographs from the Cleveland Press and William Ashbolt collections, as well as editorial cartoons, excerpts from his log book, magazine articles and footage related to the journey.
*"Believe me, my young friend," said the water rat, "There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
— from The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame
Features:
- E-book: Tinkerbelle by Robert Manry. Manry's story in his own words. Full text online.
- Videos:
- Tinkerbelle Sails the Atlantic, filmed and narrated by Robert Manry
- WEWS-TV5 footage
- Photographs & Drawings - Over 150 photographs from the Cleveland Press and Ashbolt Collections at Cleveland Memory.
- Editorial Cartoons- Robert Manry editorial cartoons from the Ray Osrin and Bill Roberts Collections.
- Magazine Articles from Life Magazine, Cleveland Magazine, and a Mechanix Illustrated cover story including instructions for building a replica of the Tinkerbelle.
- Select segments of Manry's logbook (from the Western Reserve Historical Society).
- Site credits & appreciation
- Links:
- Tinkerbelle: the Cost of a Dream, a Plain Dealer article by Michael Heaton from Aug. 14, 2005.
- Cleveland International Film Festival: 'Manry at Sea' documentary wows kids of solo Atlantic sailor, a Plain Dealer article by Michael Heaton from April 1, 2018.
