Tinkerbelle: The epic story of Robert Manry's transatlantic voyage

by Robert Manry

There is no dream so large that it can’t fit into a tiny boat…TINKERBELLE tells the real story about a man’s boyhood dream and how he made his dream come true. This is ROBERT MANRY’S inspiring tale of how he became enchanted with the notion of sailing the high seas, and how, years later, he set sail on a voyage that has fascinated sailors, adventurers, and dreamers, ever since. It is the gripping story of his 13½-foot sloop, Tinkerbelle—the smallest boat that had ever crossed the Atlantic nonstop.The son of missionary parents, Robert Manry was born 7,000 feet above sea level in the Himalayan Mountains and about as far away from the ocean as one could be in India. He was raised and schooled with his brother and sisters, in Landour, India, and it was there that a visiting German adventurer ignited his imagination with the idea of making an ocean voyage.Manry moved to the United States in 1937 to attend college, and after an interlude with the infantry in Europe, he received a degree in Political Science. He worked as a newspaper reporter in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and married in 1950. He and his wife, Virginia, relocated to Cleveland when he joined the staff of the Plain Dealer as a copy editor. Robert settled into a prototypical American post-war life, in a modest suburban tract house east of Cleveland. He commuted between home in Willowick and his evening work shift, and by all appearances, was just a “regular American guy” — happily married, with one daughter, one son, a dog, a cat, a car—and a little boat…Manry weaves the tale of how his dream was born, and describes the reasons for his voyage, finding a boat, learning to sail her, planning, fitting out, and finally, the thrilling adventure itself.Told with warmth, modesty, and humor, this engrossing story has inspired countless voyages since its original publication in 1966—an adventure born of youthful zeal, nurtured by desire, tempered by trial and error, and at last, fulfilled.The author departed from Falmouth, Massachusetts on 1 June 1965, bound for Falmouth, England, some 3,200 miles across the North Atlantic. Among his extraordinary experiences, he was awakened one morning by a submarine; swept overboard by broaching waves; tormented by weird hallucinations; challenged by gear failure and loneliness; received a feast from a passing ship captain, and was tracked down in mid-ocean by an enterprising journalist who cleverly “scooped” the story of his voyage from Manry’s own Plain Dealer colleagues. After 78 days, he made a joyous arrival in England, accompanied by an armada of small craft and thousands of cheering spectators. Begun as one man’s secret goal, Tinkerbelle’s voyage ended in a worldwide media frenzy that forever changed the lives of the story’s main participants.Triumphant in every way, the book remains an enduring treatise on how to accomplish what others dismiss as impossible, if not downright crazy. One of the great songs of the sea, Robert Manry’s tale has the alluring effect of happily persuading readers that they too could sail a small boat across the wide blue seas. More than that, TINKERBELLE provides a merry, make-it-happen road map of how anyone can achieve his or her dream’s desire.This extended e-book edition includes the original text—plus a gallery of restored photographs, the logbook of Tinkerbelle’s voyage, an afterword, a new portrait of Robert by his son, and a link to dozens of Robert Manry’s previously unpublished photographs.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2012

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this at a used bookstore. I was familiar with the story as Clevelander and have seen the the boat on display at the Western Reserve Historical Society. I was further fascinated now that I have a 15’ boat. I can’t imagine this journey in such a small boat. The writing is straightforward but the adventure is fantastic! There was some very insightful passages that really resonated with me.

After I completed the book I watched the Robert Manry documentary and I’d highly recommend that as well.

[Lewis T Pond · Rating 5 out of 5]

From lake sailor to transatlantic voyager in one easy step

A worthy read and very good account of one man's incredible crossing of the north Atlantic Ocean in a tiny sailboat in which I would be shy of getting out of sight of land. His route took him in close proximity to the shipping lanes that very large ships ply. It's a wonder that he was not ran down and sunk by any one of the many ships (and one submarine) that passed while he slept at night.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the books I got from my dad after he passed away. The author reminds me a lot of him, and really has a way with words in describing the build up to, and progress of the voyage. It really gives you an idea of what such an endeavor would be like, completely running the gamut from the awe and wonder to the power and fury of the ocean. This book will have a special place on my shelf and I will very likely read it again.

[Bryce Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice quick read, it occasionally lingers on some parts of the ocean passage more than I would have liked causing some slower middle sections. Well written, and very personal Manry gives you what feels like his true account of the voyage not some grandiose tale of crossing an ocean.

I would recommend this too anyone regardless of if they have any interest in sailing, that is certainly not a prerequisite.

[Sam O'H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Fantastic story in itself and a ton of fun to read.
Helped greatly by the fact that the author is (was) a newspaper editor, so there are little to no mistakes in the writing to distract from the story.

[Alana Just · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books! A man travels across the Atlantic Ocean in a tiny sail boat. He meets strange people, has crazy hallucinations and experiences a solicitude only the ocean can bring. He is the cutest man with such a passion for life. I loved reading this book.

[Scott Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great account

One of the better sailing journals, fully complete with full lists of supplies. Useful information if one wants to undertake their own journey across the Atlantic.

[Mollie Shenker · Rating 4 out of 5]

CRAZY, what was he thinking

[Marie-Claude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book. The author is honest about his experience of his trip. It's easy to read and easy to understand for non-mariners.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an unbelievable story!

[L. Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tells the story of a solo transatlantic sail in a very small boat. Interesting cultural time capsule of early '60's USA.

[Gregory J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely got lost in this wonderful story! One page after another - I didn’t want to stop reading! Thoroughly enjoyable!