Our Story
Dougal and Lyn Robertson, were originally dairy farmers from Meerbrook near Leek. In 1970, they decided to sell up and purchase a fifteen year old, 19 ton, 43 foot schooner- The Lucette. The plan was to give the children an education of a lifetime and set sail across the world.
The family set sail from Falmouth in 1971. They spent the first 18months sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, stopping at various places in the Caribbean. In the Bahamas they welcomed Robin Williams aboard, as they made their way over to New Zealand via the Panama Canal and the Galápagos Islands.
At 09:57am on 15th June 1972, three large blows hit the hull of the Lucette. She had been attacked by Killer Whales, Orcas. The family grabbed what they could and abandoned ship. The Lucette met her watery grave within minutes.
Adrift
38 Days until Rescue
A bag on onions, oranges and lemons, half a pound of glucose sweets, sewing box, logbook, kitchen knife, papers, a tin of biscuits, emergency rations for three days on the raft, flares and enough water for 10 days.
No maps, no compass or instruments, and no one knew they were missing. A rubber life raft, and a 3 man dingy towing alongside.
Meet the Crew
Dougal Robertson
Husband, Father, Master Mariner and Author of 'Survive the Savage Sea' and 'Sea Survival - The Manual'
Born in Scotland, 1924. The youngest of eight children.
Dougal joined the British Merchant Navy and became a Master Mariner.
Later in life he met Lyn and they took up farming together in the Peak District and had four children.
Dougal died in 1991.
Linda (Lyn) Robertson
Wife, Mother, Midwife, Poet and writer
Lyn was from the Peak District. Born into a farming family. Lyn travelled in her life and met Dougal in Hong Kong. Lyn worked as a midwife and became famous in the area for her delivery of babies.
Linda died in 1998.
123-456-7890
Ann
Daughter of Dougal & Lyn, Eldest of the children
Ann is the eldest of the four Robertson children. Ann found love in Miami, and so decided not to continue the round the world journey with her family. Luckily Ann didn't suffer the attack of the killer whales.
Douglas
First Son of Dougal & Lyn, Author of 'The Last Voyage of Lucette'
The eldest brother. Douglas was at the helm of the Lucette when the whales hit. He has also written a book 'The last voyage of Lucette'
Alexander (Sandy)
Son of Dougal & Lyn, One of the twins
Sandy was in the cockpit of the Lucette when the Orcas hit. He managed to rescue a bag on onions that helped increase their survival rations.
Neil
Son of Dougal and Lyn, One of the Twins
Neils famous quote planted the idea of a voyage. "Daddy's a sailor, why don't we sail around the world?"
Robin Williams
The Hitchhiker
Robin was 22 years old when he joined the Robertsons. A welsh graduate in economics and statistics. He wanted to journey over to New Zealand with them.
