Alec Rose
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir Alec Rose (13 July 1908 - 11 January 1991) was a nursery owner and fruit merchant in England who had a passion for amateur single-handed sailing, for which he was ultimately knighted.
Rose was born in Canterbury. During World War II he served in the British Navy as a diesel mechanic on a convoy escort, the HMS Leith. In 1964 Rose participated in the second singlehanded transatlantic race, placing fourth across the line in his 36 foot cutter Lively Lady, originally built of paduak by Mr. Cambridge, the previous owner, in Calcutta.
Sir Alec then modified the boat, including the addition of a mizzenmast, to sail singlehanded around the world. He attempted to start this journey at approximately the same time as Francis Chichester sailing Gypsy Moth IV in 1966, but a series of misfortunes delayed Rose's departure until the following year. The journey was closely followed by the British press and culminated in his successful return to cheering crowds of hundreds of thousands in Portsmouth on July 4, 1968, 354 days later. The following day he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and shortly thereafter turned 60 years old. His voyages are detailed in his book "My Lively Lady."
Sir Alec died aged 82.
