Martin Behaim's Erdapfel (earth apple) is the oldest surviving terrestrial globe.
It exists in only one manuscript copy painted by Georg Glockendon, held Nuremberg, Germany.
It shows the world according to Ptolemy and other sources, before the discovery of America by Columbus in the same year as the globe was made, 1492.
Behaim's globe vividly shows the earth without America and illustrates why Columbus thought he could sail directly west from Europe and land in China and the East Indies.
Realized by A. E. Nordenskjold in 1889
This facsimile of Behaim's globe gores and callots was made by E.G. Ravenstein in 1908 and is generally considered the best available facsimile.
It is based on both the original globe and an earlier facsimile made in 1847 by E.F. Jomard, as well as other sources for the notes and place names.
While it is by no means a completely faithful copy of the original, it does express the overall intent of Behaim's globe.
We have georeferenced the 12 globe gores and 2 polar callots, allowing the reprojection of the 14 separate sections into continuous world maps on several different projections.
In front of the Royal Yacht Squadron’s magnificent clubhouse in Cowes, a record-breaking fleet of 368 yachts embark on the 47th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Lying ahead is the famous 605-nm race to Plymouth via the Fastnet Rock on the southern tip of Ireland.
The 2017 Rolex Fastnet Race fleet is truly diverse, a quality clearly evident to all of those watching on the shore in Cowes or the thousands following the live start of the race on the internet.
Rolex Fasnet race
Fastnet Rock rounding with leader and future winner Rambler 88
Day 1 – The Needles at the western end of the Solent
is one of a number of landmarks passed by the fleet –
Fasnet rock sunset rounding, with the 115ft Nikita, the largest mono-hull in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2017
The first of seven start sequences was reserved for the fastest multihulls, the final saw the leading monohulls comprising the contrasting designs of Nikata, CQS and Rambler R88 begin their quest for line honours.
Imagine witnessing the untimely death of a vibrant, otherworldly being.
As it succumbs to an invisible menace, this entity’s colors (brilliant shades of amber, magenta, chartreuse) turn fluorescent blue and purple and green before fading to bright white.
As it decays, wisps of sludge drip from the skeletal remains.
Apocalyptic sci-fi?
This is real life, in the documentary “Chasing Coral.”
And it’s an environmental tragedy of our own making, the film heartbreakingly argues, that has little hope of being reversed without immediate human intervention.
Using his 2012 documentary, “Chasing Ice,”in which time-lapse technology showed the melting of glaciers, as his guide, Mr. Orlowski frames “Chasing Coral” with a similar structure.
But setting up time-lapse camera rigs deep underwater off the coasts of Caribbean islands, Hawaii and Australia proved problematic.
At one point, the assembled team of researchers has to document the deadly transformation of the Great Barrier Reef manually: diving with special cameras to meticulously record the day-to-day changes on the ocean floor.
Once-thriving marine metropolises, teeming with sting rays, turtles, little yellow fish and big-eyed predators, gradually wither away into a wasteland of muck.
The film gives a scientific breakdown of the biology of coral (these complex organisms play a vital role in the marine ecosystem) and the cause of the bleaching events leading to its demise: Trapped greenhouse gases have been warming oceans more rapidly since the 1980s, and a two-degree increase is fatal.
But the film is particularly compelling when following Zack Rago, a self-proclaimed coral nerd whose love is palpable and infectious.
The work takes a toll on his spirits, never more so than when after weeks of dives, he encounters what has essentially become a grave site, barely resembling what was once a fertile haven.
Perhaps the most striking moment is when the divers must cross the deck of a party boat to gain access to a section of the Great Barrier Reef.
The revelers hardly even notice the weary dive team, trying to spread the word of imminent doom.
Iconic J Class, Bermuda, July 2017 The spectacular J Class - only 10 were ever built from just 20 designs and their reign lasted less than a decade. In the 1930s they were the most technically advanced yachts in the world. For 87 years they have been the epitome of the America’s Cup. Today, little has changed. And when they rolled into Bermuda, the spectacle was unique.
They may cost millions to maintain, but there are only 9 of these vessels left on earth
‘The initial cost isn’t really that
much,’ I am told by a J-Class yacht owner as we stand at the harbour of
Hamilton, Bermuda. He clearly senses my scepticism, and is quick to
clarify.
‘I mean, maybe not as
expensive as you may think. The base boat still obviously costs around
10 to 20 million dollars. But the real costs start racking up when you
have to pay for the upkeep, which can come in at anywhere up to $3
million every year.’
Toby Hodges was aboard Shamrock V, the oldest existing J Class, as seven J Class yachts raced for the first time ever.
See the action from onboard the J Class Shamrock V in Bermuda as seven Js are expertly guided around the course by around 30 crew members each.
Shamrock V is smaller and lighter than the modern J fleet so can only compete on handicap
It’s a painful figure, but J-Class yachts – a type of single-masted sailboat that must have either been built in the early 20th Century or produced meticulously to period plans – are beautiful to behold.
As we stand, a glass of Cloudy Bay Pelorus sparkling away in our hands, six of these beautiful vessels bob happily next to each other in the harbour.
And that’s quite a gathering – there are only 9 left on earth.
Majestic titans of sail, these boats
competed just last week off the Caribbean island and, although Lionheart
may have taken the crown, two of the competitors – Shamrock V and
Endeavour – are genuine 1930s boats.
Exploring the vessels in the
Princess Marina is incredibly exciting, with worn wooden decks and
burnished brass fittings giving the yachts a truly antique feel.
J Class Svea at Newport Bridge George Bekris photo
But speaking to the owners
is almost as awe-inspiring as stepping aboard the boats themselves.
And
it isn’t because of their passion for sailing – although they have that
by the boatful – but rather their capacity for spending.
Granted, these
are rich men, dynastic heirs or titans of industry, but they don’t even
seem to think twice about spending a million in a month on fixing up
their boats.
Not only that, but the owners are more
than happy to let this level of expenditure slip under the radar. Whereas most men wouldn’t even be able to buy a new car without posting a
few choice snaps on Instagram, these sailors can splash substantial
cash on these vessels without as much as sending out a single tweet.
And, while the owners are secretive about revealing too many details about the boats in the Cloudy Bay J Class,
there are certain snippets that show just how pricey these boats can
be.
One vessel has an entirely mahogany-veneered interior (all taken
from one tree), another has ensuites tiled throughout in original
black-and-white 1930s bathroom tiles and a third has a dedicated wine
cellar stuffed – literally – to the gunnels with everything from Te Koko to Te Wahi.
So, next time you watch these 140ft kings of the sea
set sail, remember: those base boats may be just a ‘drop in the ocean’,
but it’s the decadence below decks which makes racing these superyachts
the ‘most expensive hobby on earth’.
