Left for Dead
The Untold Story of the Tragic 1979 Fastnet Race
Adlard Coles Nautical (Publisher)
Published on 9. May 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
308 pages
978-0-7136-8936-5 (ISBN)
Description
The Fastnet Race is the world famous yacht race from the Isle of Wight to the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland and back. The race of 1979 began in perfect weather conditions but within 48 hours, the deadliest storm in the history of modern sailing struck off the south coast of Ireland. By the time it had passed, the havoc caused was immeasurable. Even more devastating, it had mercilessly taken the lives of fifteen sailors. It had been Nick Ward's childhood ambition to sail in the Fastnet Race, and after being asked to join the crew aboard the 30-foot yacht Grimalkin it was a dream come true. But then the storm hit. Grimalkin was capsized again and again, the skipper was lost overboard and after hours of struggle, three of the crew decided to abandon the boat for the liferaft. Nick and his fellow crewmember Gerry, both injured and unconscious, were left on the beleaguered yacht in the middle of the Irish Sea. Both were presumed dead, and were taken off the priority list for rescue. Gerry died a few hours later, and Nick was left to face the storm alone.
Now available as a paperback, Left for Dead is the tragic and inspirational story of Nick Ward's survival against all the odds. It is the story of an ordinary man who survived an extraordinary event. It was an experience which affected him so deeply that for over 25 years his story has remained untold - until now.
Now available as a paperback, Left for Dead is the tragic and inspirational story of Nick Ward's survival against all the odds. It is the story of an ordinary man who survived an extraordinary event. It was an experience which affected him so deeply that for over 25 years his story has remained untold - until now.
Reviews / Votes
"Left for Dead is Nick Ward's moving and inspirational account of his survival - against the odds" Yachting Life (June 2008) "It has taken Ward 28 years to tell his tale but it is a truly moving and inspirational piece of work" Shetland Times (July2008) "harrowing and deeply moving account of the events of August 11, 1979" Southern Daily Echo (February 2009) "Left for Dead, Nick Ward's raw account of desertion and terror in the 1979 Fastnet" Classic Boat (& The Boatman) (November 2009) '...harrowing and deeply moving account of the event of Aufus 11 1979...' PSP Southampton Boat Show (2009)More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Illustrations
Colour photo sections
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
339 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7136-8936-5 (9780713689365)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
01/2009
1st Edition
Adlard Coles Nautical
€8.99
Available for download
Previous edition
Book
05/2007
Adlard Coles Nautical
€41.03
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Nick Ward was born in Hamble, and was taught to sail at the age of four. He has retained his love of sailing throughout his life. He worked in the marine trade for most of his career and delivered and raced yachts of all kinds. Nick still lives in Hamble today, with his wife Christine and two children. Sinead O'Brien is an award-winning documentary maker and dramatist. She lives in Dublin with her daughter Eve.