Seisia to Savage River

Seisia to Escape River via Albany Passage.

We departed at 0815. It was windless and humid, as we weighed anchor and motored out of Seisia.

K'Gari motored towards the top of the country, to round Cape York and start heading south through the Reef. A chance to do some washing in what must be close to 98% humidity- sure, it will dry, as long as it doesn't make 100% humidity

https://youtu.be/aqdSROhG7As

 

https://youtu.be/Nad_6jNOASo

And as we rounded the "tip" at 1200, the breeze started to come away.

 We were trying to beat the forecast SE'ly change and simultaneously time our passing through strategic passages to be with the tide

Sailing through the Albany Passage 

I've been around the top a few times, but only once before, in '79 when on the light house tender MV Cape Moreton , had I been through the Albany Passage.

Albany Passage lies between Albany Island and the mainland.

This area is most famous these days I think,  for  being the resting place of Frank Jardine,  a somewhat controversial early settler in the area , who is allegedly buried standing up.The graves of both Frank and his Samoan Princess wife are still clearly visible on the mainland, from the passage , above the HW mark on the beach.The Jardine family ran cattle on their Cape property, Somerset, and were also involved in the pearling industry.Frank was at one time the magistrate, and  reports vary as to why he stood down- conflict of interest, perhaps being the most touted version. It's remote here now in 2018, let alone in  the late 1800's !

We anchored for the night, further south, just inside the entrance to the Escape River.

The local pearl farmers, a couple who have lived on Turtle Island, in this remote region for some time,  came past just before sunset, and we had a  chat . They pointed out there were better anchorages further in, from our position, but as we were only stopping for a snooze before continuing on our way, we stayed where we were. 

Sure enough about midnight we started to rock n roll as the tide and wind changed, so we heaved up and continued on our way- destination Shelburne  Bay . We were still trying to beat the SE'ly which had been forecast.