One man’s attempt to become a national hero caused him to lose his mind AND his life at sea

In 1968, Donald Crowhurst set sail from his sleepy seaside town of Teignmouth, England. His goal was to complete a round the world trip in a one man yacht spending a lonely 10 months at sea without stopping. As his wife and children watched the sail disappear over the horizon, they never suspected it would be the last time they ever saw him.

Crowhurst had lived a simple life prior to his decision to enter the Golden Globe race. He earned enough to support his family but they were still poor. Upon hearing about the boat race Crowhurst decided this was his opportunity to do something great. Something to be remembered by.

He gambled everything he owned, including his house and business, to be able to fund his dream. But he was still a casual sailor going up against professionals.

Donald Crowhurst begins the race

Crowhurst left on October 31, the last possible date he could leave. He was ill-prepared for the journey ahead. His son, Simon Crowhurst recalls watching his father sail into the distance, “I remember vividly the effort of trying to see the sail for as long as possible, of watching that sail getting smaller and smaller and waving.”

The truth was, Crowhurst’s boat was not suitable for what he was doing. The other captains were already far ahead, and he learnt that the waters around South Africa were incredibly stormy, knocking two competitors out of the race. His boat wouldn’t stand a chance.

He was faced with a choice, return to financial ruin and humiliation, or sail on to what would surely be his death. It’s not much of a choice, so the inexperienced sailor hatched a scheme that could save his life and reputation.

Fake the race

Crowhurst’s plan was to mark his positions in the logbook as if he’d carried on, but in reality, he was loitering in the South Atlantic. When the rest of the sailors came around South America, he could join the back. He would also remain vague over radio so as not to give away his deception.

If he came in last place, his logbook wouldn’t be examined too closely, meaning Crowhurst could get away with lying. All he had to do was hold his position for several months. Alone. In the middle of the ocean. Miles from civilization.

A sea breeze, blue sky, and hot sun can become torture when that’s all there is for you to look at. Waiting in the waters his mind began to fracture. The many months allowed him to wallow in the guilt and loneliness he felt. “I am what I am and I see the nature of my offence,” his journal reads. With each page, Crowhurst seemed to be sinking deeper into madness, he believed himself to be a player, in a game.

The game ends

When the rest of the sailors came around South America, Crowhurst enacted his plan. But things quickly fell apart. The leader of the race, a French man named Bernard Moitessier, dropped out of the race and continued sailing around the world despite being on course to win.

Robin Knox-Johnston then completed the race leaving just Donald Crowhurst and Nigel Tetley to finish. However, all the other sailors had all left earlier than Crowhurst, so while Knox-Johnston may have gotten back first, Crowhurst’s vague logs he’d given over radio put him on course to beat both Tetley and Knox-Johnston’s times.

He was going to come in first place.

There was no way his fake logs would hold up now. Upon realizing his situation, his mind snapped, “It has been a good game that must be ended,” he wrote in his journal. He never made it back to his family. His son recalls how his mother broke the news to him, “The boat’s been found and he’s not on it.”

Crowhurst’s story is one of tragedy. A man who hoped to be remembered for an incredible feat but ended up putting himself in an impossible position and succumbing to madness. Thankfully the family were able to keep their home as the race winner, Konx-Johnston, donated them the £5,000 prize money.