In 1939, a young Eric Newby – later renowned as a travel writer of exceptional talent – set sail aboard Moshulu, the largest sailing ship still employed in the transportation of grain from Australia to Europe. An engaging and informative first-hand account of the last ‘grain race’ of maritime history, from respected travel writer Eric Newby. Background. The storm finally abates but not before it enters its most impressive phase. Eric newby's account of his experiences on this voyage is both enthralling and at times appalling. From Newby's own description he was a formidable character: He was respected and feared as a man over whose eyes no wool could be pulled by the masters whom he employed to sail his ships, and the tremors they felt were passed down to the newest joined apprentice. Moshulu was part of a Scandinavian fleet sailing to Australia to pick up a cargo of grain. My dad read this book every fall as he sat tending a grain dryer full of corn. EMBED. Publisher: ISBN: Category: Passat (Bark) Page: 240. I read that this was the first book of Eric Newby, who went on to become a great travel writer. Skip to main content.sg. The Moshulu was at the time one of the largest sailing ships still transporting grain. Captain Sjögren, with whom Newby has had a stiffly formal relationship, asks him if he is coming again as he inks in his discharge as Ordinary Seaman, but Newby leaves through the dock gates and never sees Moshulu again. A now out-moded word, but sailing ships do not stay afloat and make fast passages at the pleasure of a committee of seamen. The ship was captured and decommissioned by the Germans shortly after it's arrival back home. Now I confess to being a confirmed landlubber who cannot tell a spanker from an inner jib but I do love a good account of a thrilling sea voyage. Item Price. The ship's forecastle where the crew sleeps is overrun by bugs, including their beds, so they string hammocks (with practical jokers cutting the ropes they hang from). On board, Moshulu was captained by Captain Mikael Sjögren, with a crew of twenty-eight, including officers, cook, steward etc. An engaging and informative first-hand account of the last 'grain race' of maritime history, from respected travel writer Eric Newby. I'm so glad I did. Newby is an extremely self-effacing and likeable narrator and the book is a joy from start to finish. The Last Grain Race is Eric Newby's spell-binding account of his time spent on the Moshulu's last voyage in the Australian grain trade. Apparently he was not important enough to sack. By now the crew is getting desperate for any food different from their staple menu and Newby shares his last can of peaches with another crewman, Kroner. This book is testament to doing something wonderful, I admire Eric Newby. Dust jacket has edge-wear with creasing and small tears at the top of the spine. The last pig, Filamon, is slaughtered and the crew eat so much pork that it wreaks havoc with their stomachs. I love books about sailing and found some knowledge helped reading The Riddle of the Sands but anyone could pick this up and read it on the Central Line and easily imagine all the chapped lips and oilskins. In 1939, a young Eric Newby – later renowned as a travel writer of exceptional talent – set sail aboard Moshulu, the largest sailing ship still employed in the transportation of grain from Australia to Europe. The Last Grain Race Item Preview > remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. Hopes of beating Parma's record of 83 days to Falmouth vanish as they believe the calms north of the line may have been too much for Moshulu. In 1938 the 18-year-old Newby shipped aboard the four-masted barque Moshulu as an apprentice. 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