Ben Carlin

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Ben Carlin
Carlin seated
Carlin in Montreal in 1948
Born
Frederick Benjamin Carlin

27 July 1912
Died7 March 1981 (age 68)
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
EducationGuildford Grammar School
Kalgoorlie School of Mines
Occupation(s)Engineer, soldier
Spouses
  • Gertrude Plath (m. 1940–?)
  • Elinore Arone (m. 1946–55)
  • Cynthia Henderson (m. 1963–64)
ChildrenDeirdre Scott Carlin (b. 1964)

Frederick Benjamin Carlin (27 July 1912 – 7 March 1981) was an Australian adventurer who was the first person to circumnavigate the world in an amphibious vehicle. Born in Northam, Western Australia, Carlin attended Guildford Grammar School in Perth, and later studied mining engineering at the Kalgoorlie School of Mines. After qualifying as an engineer, he worked on the Goldfields before emigrating to China in 1939 to work in a British coal mine. In World War II, Carlin was posted to the Indian Army Corps of Engineers, serving in India, Italy, and throughout the Middle East. After his discharge from service in 1946, he emigrated to the United States with his American wife, Elinore (née Arone).

Sparked by an idea he had whilst in the military, Carlin proposed that the couple honeymoon by crossing the

South-East Asia and the Far East to the northern tip of Japan, and then to Alaska
. After an extended tour through the United States and Canada, he and Half-Safe returned to Montreal, having travelled over 17,000 kilometres (11,000 mi) by sea and 62,000 kilometres (39,000 mi) by land during the ten-year journey. Following Carlin's death in 1981, Half-Safe was acquired by Guildford Grammar, his old school, where it remains on display.

Early life and military service

Frederick Benjamin Carlin was born on 27 July 1912, in Northam, Western Australia, a town in the state's Wheatbelt. His mother, Charlotte Amelia Bramwell, died when he was four,[1] and he was raised by his father, Frederick Cecil Carlin, who was an electrical engineer employed with the Western Australian Government Railways.[2] At the age of ten, Carlin was sent to board at Guildford Grammar School in Perth.[3] Leaving school in 1929, he enrolled at the School of Mines in Kalgoorlie, where he studied mining engineering. Once he had qualified as an engineer, he worked for a period of time in the surrounding Goldfields region. However, in 1939, he moved to Peking, China, to work for a British coal mining company.[2][4]

Upon the outbreak of

Red Cross nurse, Elinore Arone, who was originally from Boston. On his discharge from service in 1946, the couple moved to Maryland, where they married in June 1948.[1]

Circumnavigation

Half-Safe and early preparation

The couple next to one another
The Carlins during the early stages of preparation for their journey

Throughout the war,

receiver). In total, the vessel's length was extended by three feet to 18 feet (5.5 m), and the fuel capacity to 200 gallons (760 L) from the original 12 gallons (45 L).[13] The construction of the under-belly fuel tank allowed it to be jettisoned when empty, reducing further its full weight of three long tons (6,720 lb or 3,048 kg).[14] The vessel was christened Half-Safe, after the slogan of Arrid, a deodorant brand – "Don't be half-safe – use Arrid to be sure".[11]

Failure of first attempts

The couple began testing their craft in 1947, and experienced problems with

The Carlins sailed past the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor on one of their first circumnavigation attempts in 1948.

A third attempt was made in late July, but was again not successful due to the mechanical troubles and heavy

Pan-American Airways to direct their crews to search for their craft.[24] Half-Safe and the Carlins were rescued approximately 270 miles (430 km) off New York by the oil tanker New Jersey, bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia.[25] Seven days into the voyage, a propeller bearing had welded itself fast due to lack of lubrication, leaving the vessel to drift aimlessly for a further ten days without means of steering it or navigating.[11] According to a message Carlin radioed from the tanker to his friends in New York, the couple "drifted and fished", enjoying a "pleasant life, cheaper than Atlantic City".[26] At the time of the couple's rescue, he considered abandoning the entire voyage, but was convinced to continue by the tanker's Norwegian captain, who greeted Carlin with the words: "Hell, you're not going to leave that god-damned Jeep lying around?!"[12]

Transatlantic crossing

The Carlins' fourth failed attempt in two months led them to abandon the project for a period of time in order to raise more money. With the New Jersey arriving in Halifax two weeks after their rescue, Carlin took up a position with a local marine salvage firm, while his wife returned to her family in Boston, and worked in a law office.[27] One final attempt was considered in November 1948, but postponed due to the approaching winter weather, with Half-Safe stored in a Halifax garage.[28] In mid 1949, the couple began to ready Half-Safe for a further attempt at the crossing. Testing in late August revealed a burnt-out clutch,[29] which was repaired, and Carlin recognised the need for much larger amounts of fuel. To achieve this extra capacity, two fuel tanks were tied behind Half-Safe, painted bright yellow to aid visibility from the air. Further alterations were also made to the craft's superstructure, and extra stabilising rudders were added.[27] The Carlins launched again in early September 1949. When the vessel was 35 miles (56 km) off shore, both of the auxiliary fuel tanks were lost, necessitating return to Halifax.[30] Carlin almost decided to abandon the journey and liquidate Half-Safe, but was convinced by his wife to continue.[12]

When they struck a hurricane between the Azores and Madeira, and the superstructure looked like caving in, he got Elinore to recite the escape drill out loud in the tumult: "You shout 'OUT' – I get out and wait. You follow and grab the gear. I follow you – Keep In Contact!" They couldn't inflate and board the raft in that sea, and provided that the equipment wasn't wrenched from their grip they should be able to go on living, even though they carried no life jackets, for both were strong swimmers. He warned her: "Keep your face down and away from the spray – it hurts."

The Buckingham Post, 27 January 1956[31]

Over the following six months, the Carlins again made modifications to their vessel, with the most important being a large, purpose-built tank that was to be towed behind the craft. This increased the total fuel capacity of Half-Safe to 735 gallons (3,337 L), with the vessel also carrying 30 gallons (136 L) of water, eight gallons (36 L) of oil, and six weeks' worth of provisions.

Rio de Oro on 23 February 1951.[36]

From Cap Juby, the Carlins drove north through the coastal regions of Morocco to Europe. The hot daytime temperatures, which reportedly reached 170 °F (77 °C) within the vehicle's cabin, necessitated that Half-Safe be driven exclusively at night.

Straits of Gibraltar.[37] From there, the Carlins drove through a number of European countries, where they engaged in sight-seeing before sailing across the English Channel and concluding the first part of their journey in Birmingham, where they arrived on 1 January 1952.[38]

Europe and the Middle East

The Carlins and Half-Safe were greeted by a large crowd upon landing in Copenhagen in 1951.

Tired, weary, and lacking in money, the Carlins decided to remain in England to rest and recuperate. Throughout the journey from Nova Scotia to the Azores, both Carlin and his wife had suffered from severe

The Montreal Gazette describing Carlin as "an adventurer of the old school – full of the explorer's instinct, and with a dry wit that makes his story an odd mixture of high-adventure and real understatement".[39]

The Carlins set out again in early 1955, arriving in France on 22 April 1955.

Calcutta, India.[12] Carlin later noted: "the 2000 miles across the Atlantic from Nova Scotia to the Azores were in many ways much less worrying than a similar distance covered on murderous roads in Persia".[41] At Calcutta, the Carlins decided to transport Half-Safe to Australia via steamer. At the start of his voyage, Carlin had said he would not travel to Australia or New Zealand, because petrol was "too dear" there.[15] However, a lack of funding meant the side trip was necessary. The trip also allowed Carlin to meet with his family, who still lived in Perth – his brother, Tom Carlin, had become a captain in the Royal Australian Navy, and was actively involved in nuclear weapons testing on the Montebello Islands in 1952, as part of Operation Hurricane.[42]

Far East and return to North America

Half-Safe's Australian tour began in late October 1955 in Perth, where Carlin grew up, and included a tour of his old school, Guildford Grammar. The Carlins then went to

Muroran.[48] They reached Wakkanai on 12 June 1957, despite what de Mente later described as Carlin's aggression and "irascible character" during the trip.[49]

Carlin and his new travelling partner, Boyé de Mente, departed from Tokyo in May 1957.

Carlin's aim was to travel directly from Wakkanai to

Anchorage, where de Mente flew home to Phoenix. He would go on to write Once a Fool: From Tokyo to Alaska by Amphibious Jeep, a detailed account of his experiences with Carlin and Half-Safe, as well as becoming a prolific author on topics relating to Mesoamerica and East Asia, publishing over 100 books.[49] Carlin subsequently drove solo to Seattle, arriving in early November 1957.[54] Whilst travelling the Alaska Highway in British Columbia, he encountered the collapsed Peace River Suspension Bridge. While other motorists queued for a nearby ferry, Carlin simply drove Half-Safe into the river and across to the other side.[55] Continuing on to San Francisco, where he met his wife for the first time in two years, Carlin then continued onwards through the United States and north to Canada. He arrived in Toronto, on 10 May 1958,[56] and three days later arrived in Montreal, completing his ten-year journey.[57] He and Half-Safe had travelled 17,780 kilometres (11,050 mi) by sea and 62,744 kilometres (38,987 mi) by land over ten years, passing through 38 countries and over two oceans, with the entire trip costing him around $35,000.[3][58]

Later life and legacy

The Half Safe on Display at Guildford Grammar School in August 2020.

After the conclusion of the trip, Half-Safe remained in the United States, where it was occasionally exhibited by Carlin's friend George Calimer, who was a co-owner of the vehicle. Carlin remained in the country for a period, appearing on the lecture circuit, before returning to Perth, where he took up residence in

Western Australian Maritime Museum, which declined the offer due to a lack of exhibition space.[59] The Guildford Grammar School Foundation subsequently purchased the other share in the vehicle, transferring it to the school's campus in Guildford, Western Australia. The school also posthumously published The Other Half of Half-Safe, which detailed the second portion of Carlin's journey.[60] In 1999, the craft was transported by truck across Australia to Corowa, New South Wales, where it featured in an annual celebration on the Murray River, along with 16 other amphibious vehicles from the Second World War.[8] Half-Safe is currently exhibited in a specially-made glass enclosure at Guildford Grammar's main campus.[13] Money from Carlin's estate was used to found the Charlotte Carlin Scholarship (named for his mother), awarded for "the proficiency of the English language with the avoidance of clichés".[60] Guinness World Records recognises Carlin as having completed the "first and only circumnavigation by an amphibious vehicle".[61]

References

  1. ^ a b c d From the archives: a personal glimpse of Ben Carlin – Guildford Grammar School Weekly Bulletin, Week 1, Term 3, 2011. Published 27 July 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "Newsreel – Personalities – Honeymoon in Jeep Archived 21 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine" – The Western Mail. Published 19 August 1948.
  3. ^ a b History: Ben Carlin and the Half Safe Story Archived 13 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine – Guildford Grammar. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Jeep Tourist Has Seen The World Archived 6 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine" – Advocate. Published 15 January 1948.
  5. ^ "Family Notices: Marriages" – The Western Mail. Published 20 June 1940.
  6. ^ "No. 35256". The London Gazette. 22 August 1941. pp. 4883–4884.
  7. ^ "Round the World In a Jeep Archived 19 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine" – Advocate. Published 12 January 1948. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e Stanton, Kerry (1999). Half Safe, Half Boat, Half Car and Half a Century Archived 8 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine – Collector C@fe. Originally published in Army Motors magazine, issue 89, 1999. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  9. ^ Amphibious Jeep Archived 23 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine – 4wdonline. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  10. ^ "'Half-Safe' Is Half Way 'Round World Archived 6 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine" – Sarasota Journal. Published 23 August 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Strohl, Daniel (2011). Ambitious Amphibious: Ben Carlin's round-the-world trek in a Ford GPA Archived 4 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Hemmings Daily. Published 2 March 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Half safe (1947 1958) Archived 16 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Amphibious Vehicles. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  13. ^ a b c The Amphibious Jeep 'Half Safe' Archived 23 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine – 4wdonline. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  14. ^ The Swimmers: Ducks, Larks, and other "birds" – Digger History. Archived by the National Library of Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  15. ^ a b "TO Circle The World In Amphibious Jeep" – The Canberra Times. Published 23 January 1948.
  16. ^ "Honeymoon In Jeep: Unique enterprise begins Archived 20 January 2023 at the Wayback MachineThe West Australian. Published 18 June 1948.
  17. ^ "Alarm Over Jeep At Sea" – Morning Bulletin. Published 21 June 1948.
  18. The Sunday Times
    . Published 4 July 1948.
  19. ^ "Round The World In A "DUCK" Archived 20 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine" – Morning Bulletin. Published 6 July 1948.
  20. ^ Jeep Travellers Are Lost AgainThe Daily News. Published 9 July 1948.
  21. ^ "Jeep Pair Are Safe" – The Daily News. Published 29 July 1948.
  22. ^ "An Atlantic Venture: Australian in a Jeep – Third Attempt Fails" – Geraldton Guardian. Published 5 August 1948.
  23. The Argus
    . Published 13 August 1948.
  24. ^ "Planes On Alert For Carlins" – The Daily News. Published 25 August 1948.
  25. ^ "Carlin Safe Again" – The Daily News. Published 26 August 1948.
  26. ^ "To Start Again: Carlins' Atlantic Experiences" – The West Australian. Published 28 August 1948.
  27. ^ a b "Start Perilous Atlantic Trip In Amphibious Jeep Archived 6 January 2020 at the Wayback MachineOttawa Citizen. Published 1 September 1949.
  28. ^ Carlins Postpone Sixth TryThe Daily News. Published 19 November 1948.
  29. The Argus
    . Published 30 August 1949.
  30. ^ "Misadventure Pursues Couple's Sea-Going Jeep Archived 6 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine" – Edmonton Journal. Published 2 September 1949.
  31. ^ a b "Crossed Atlantic In A Jeep" – Buckingham Post. Published 27 January 1956.
  32. ^ Time Inc (20 November 1950). LIFE. Time Inc. p. 149.
  33. ^ ""Floating Jeep" Feared Lost, Reaches Azores Archived 6 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine" – The Sydney Morning Herald. Published 20 August 1950.
  34. Cairns Post
    . Published 15 December 1950.
  35. The Montreal Gazette
    . Published 26 August 1950.
  36. ^ Crossed Atlantic In JeepThe Mercury. Published 16 March 1951.
  37. ^ Sea-going Jeep Turns Up At GibraltarThe Sydney Morning Herald. Published 23 April 1951.
  38. ^ Half safe Archived 8 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine – goodsdirect.net. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  39. The Montreal Gazette
    . Published 10 November 1955.
  40. Boston Globe
    . Published 7 May 1955.
  41. ^ a b "Going Round World in Floating Jeep" – The Age. Published 2 November 1955.
  42. ^ "R.A.N. Ships For Atomic Tests Call At Onslow" – The West Australian. Published 28 April 1952.
  43. ^ ""Half Safe" in Rangoon After Adventurous Trip Archived 6 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine" – The Age. Published 12 March 1956.
  44. The Milwaukee Journal
    . Published 8 June 1956.
  45. Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
    . Published 7 May 1956.
  46. The Calgary Herald
    . Published 8 June 1956.
  47. The Deseret News
    . Published 10 October 1956.
  48. ^ Amphibious Jeep “Half-Safe” Co-Adventurer connects with 4WDOnline.com Archived 27 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine – 4wdonline. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  49. ^ a b "Pair Try To Drive Pacific Archived 15 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine" – The Sunday Sun. Published 11 June 1957.
  50. ^ "Can't Contact Two Men On Japan Jaunt Archived 6 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine" – Ellensburg Daily Record. Published 4 July 1957.
  51. ^ "Pair Cross Rough Sea In Amphibious Jeep Archived 6 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine" – Spokane Daily Chronicle. Published 8 July 1957.
  52. ^ "Continue Amphibious Jeep Trip[permanent dead link]" – Tri-City Herald. Published 17 July 1957.
  53. Prescott Evening Courier
    . Published 19 August 1957.
  54. ^ "Short Takes In The News Archived 6 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine" – Spokane Daily Chronicle. Published 8 November 1957.
  55. The Calgary Herald
    . Published 26 December 1957.
  56. ^ "Amphibious Jeep Finishes 10-Year Tour Of Globe Archived 6 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine" – Calgary Herald. Published 10 May 1958.
  57. The Montreal Gazette
    . Published 13 May 1958.
  58. The Calgary Herald
    . Published 14 May 1958.
  59. ^ de Mente 2005, p. 17
  60. ^ a b Hunt, Bruce (2011). Amphibious jeep is stuff of navigation dreams – In My Community. Published 23 June 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  61. ^ First circumnavigation by amphibious car Archived 14 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine – Guinness World Records. Retrieved 28 February 2013.

Further reading