Rescuing capsized batteries

HOW DO YOUR START your diesel auxiliary engine if most of the acid has leaked out of the batteries? If you’ll bear with me for a moment, I’ll tell you.

Many years ago I was interested in buying a Colin Archer, one of a famous breed of full-keeled sailing fishing boats, pilot boats, and rescue vessels used in Norway a hundred years ago. This particular one was, in fact, called Colin Archer, and she was sailed singlehanded from Europe to Durban, South Africa, where I was living then, by a man called Donald Shave.  He was not quite singlehanded in that he had his dog with him all the way, but I don’t think the dog was a lot of help with the sailing. He certainly never stood watches, not even dogwatches.

Shave sold Colin Archer to a local man who had become quite famous for being probably the world’s most successful mercenary soldier, self-styled Colonel Mike Hoare, whose private army had fought in what was then the Belgian Congo.  Hoare was the most unlikely looking land pirate, not at all riproaring or rapacious. He did not swash his buckles or rip his roars.  He was what he looked like, a quiet Irish accountant. But naturally he had other hidden talents.

I had known him from the time when he was running safaris overland from Durban into the Okavango Swamps of Bechuanaland, today’s Botswana.  I had gone along with him on an expedition to Ngamiland as a photographer.

When Hoare decided to sell Colin Archer I thought I might want her, so we took her for a test sail in the Indian Ocean off Durban one blustery day when the onshore northeaster was piping up .

As we were coming into shallower water, approaching the harbor entrance on the way back, the yacht was thrown onto her beam ends when a large breaking wave caught her amidships.

She recovered herself in due course, but Hoare found he couldn’t start the diesel to enter port. A little exploration down below soon discovered the cause. The ship’s batteries had leaked most of their acid while she lay on her side.

To my astonishment, Hoare immediately filled them up with fresh water.  I was very dubious about that, but when he pressed the starter button the engine dutifully turned over and roared to life.

I have never had an opportunity to make  personal use of this valuable tip, and  I thank goodness for that, but it made such an impression on me that it is permanently tucked away into a corner of my brain . . . just in case.

Today’s Thought

We sometimes had those little rubs which Providence sends to enhance the value of its favours.
— Goldsmith, The Vicar of Wakefield

Tailpiece

“What can I do for you, young man?”
“Sorry to have to ring your door bell, sir, but I’ve come to collect your daughter and my car’s horn isn’t working.”

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