My wonderful friends David and Candy Masters, US SV ‘Endeavor’ went back to the States in early January. David to get his “shoulder blade” fixed and Candy to have a hip operation. They had been wintering in St Katherines Dock, enjoying London and looking forward to their next adventure.
David and Candy in their element aboard ‘Endeavor’
I met them and their fine ship in Stromness, Orkney in 2017.
Right side picture ‘Talisker 1’ rafted to ‘Endeavor’ North Haven, Fair Isle 2017
Enjoying Fair Isle with David and Candy 2017
David died suddenly in January in Seattle aged 65. Unbeknown to David, a massive growth in his chest had been developing for some time. A great husband and wife team and masterly blue water cruising couple have been separated in the most cruel way. Tomorrow, 29th April, Candy is holding a celebration of David’s life in Ballard, Seattle. David was funny, immensely clever, generous, slightly naughty. A really terrific terrific man.
I’ve just collected Candy and David’s boat from London and brought her to Suffolk. I was with my wonderful friend James Robinson. Amongst the very great sadness we both felt, it was a privilege to sail their wonderful ship.
Philip Attwood, Orford’s splendid HM, drove James and me with all our gear to St Kats on Monday. After a day and a half of getting to know the ships systems, with detailed instructions from Candy, we left St Kats on Wednesday 25th April and anchored in Stangate Creek for the night. With quite a breeze we sailed all the way to Orford the following day.
The Royal Barge! ‘Endeavor’ could do serious damage in my hands exiting St Kats! With the Tower but a stones throw I would be at Traitors Gate never to be seen again!
My step son Jay and Orford sailor Harry Hitchcock came to see us in St Kats. As did brother David on the morning of our departure.
A visit from brother David before departure from St Kats
Harry, Jay and James Robi
25th April
Tower Bridge to Stangate Creek, River Medway
St Kats and ready to go …
On our way to the lock ..
in to the lock without destroying the Royal Barge!
In the river with Tower Bridge behind us ..
Sorting a family of fenders ..
The Cutty Sark
Looking back towards Greenwich
The Thames Barrier ahead
The QE Bridge
Well down river …
At anchor Stangate Creek
Joined by the Swiss!
26th April
Stangate Creek, River Medway to Orford
Leaving the Medway
Across the estuary under Main only … a powerful ship
Under reefed main and stay sail
Entering the Ore …
27th April
V early morning photograph taken by Orford SC Cruiser Captain Migs Howard out walking with husband Jonnie & their dogs!
View from ‘Endeavor’s’ mooring to the Church and Castle
Getting her ship shape
Orford HM Philip Attwood collecting me and James from ‘Endeavor’
Centre picture on the bend in the river ‘Endeavor’ in her summer digs!
‘Endeavor’ is their boat! No one else had sailed her since the late 1980’s without them. It took me and James a couple of days to sort the essential systems and get her ready for sea. Candy had sent such fabulous instructions, which I had collated in to quite a few pages. The boat had been left in live aboard harbour mode. What would have taken them just an hour or two took us much much longer.
Anyway! She’s in Orford on a heavy duty mooring until Candy arrives later in the year.
Dear David. RIP.
Wonderful David and Candy at St Kats with ‘Endeavor’ in the picture
Me and David entering the Alma, Harwich on passage Ipswich to the Medway 2017
James & James, so grateful the sailing community has such wonderful people in it such as yourselves.
One can only imagine the hard times Candy is dealing with and will continue to do so for some time yet, however to have yourselves and the Orford community look after Endeavor would be such a massive relief for her.
Three cheers for you.
And Deepest sympathies on the loss of a friend.
Maree and Phil
Red Roo
Hi Maree and Phil
You guys are no different. I was lucky enough to meet David. Knowing him was a great plus. I’ve put photos on the blog if you want to have another look. Jxxx
candy and david are my aunt and uncle. I dearly miss david
He’s left a cavernous hole in all our lives …
That’s very sad indeed, well done on getting the boat back to Orford
Hi Bill
As I said to Maree and Phil I was just so lucky to know David.
They were a lovely couple and outstanding blue water sailors.
Jxx
Very proud of you as always xx
My wonderful brother xxx
Thanks, James and James, for looking after Endeavour on behalf of the sailing community. David will be sorely missed, but we all take comfort in knowing his boat, his labor of love, was well sailed by fine seamen to safe harbor.
John, Kara and Dean. Coming from the best that is indeed a compliment …
Yes indeed, the Gathering yesterday was well attended, great stories, lots of laughter, beacoup hugs and a plethora of warm wishes. My cup runneth ovah.
xxx
Ditto from me, I never worried during the delivery, knew she’d be in good hands.
A sad story, by and with beautiful people James.
Looking forward to seeing you guys. x
Ditto from me, I never worried during the delivery, knew she’d be in good hands.
I met David and Candy at the Falkland Islands a couple of times, on their way to Antartic. Great people, great time. I have been thimking about them amd sad to hear about it. RIP!
Hi Marcelo, I heard all about their Falkland visit and their aborted sail to South Georgia when they wisely turned north and visited many of the Atlantic Islands on their way to the Eastern Seaboard. I was lucky to meet them in Stromness, Orkney where we were storm bound together. Both our boats then sailed to Lerwick and then on to Norway. David was special … no doubt about that. ATB James