Kartskisse etter en ide av Jens Flesjå og Gunleif Seldal. Klikk på bildet for større variant.
The ”Restauration” crossed The North Sea on a south-westerly course, passed through The English Channel, continued southwards passing Cape Finisterre and arrived at Madeira. Here they halted for about a week before then the captain set course westwards for the Atlantic crossing. Many have wondered why such a southerly route was chosen. Some have argued that the vessel drifted off from its course, others have even suggested that the captain’s navigation knowledge was inadequate. It turns however out that the route was carefully planned. A contemporary document reveals that the captain had been equipped with a secret signal for communication with Swedish ships sailing in African waters:
--- that he shall keep secret and for no one disclose this very signal, of which The Royal Collegium has informed him for added safety, in case he during the voyage where the African pirats may be seen, meets any Swedish Coffardie captain, then to observe the signal and act in accordance with the prescription for such events, so help him God and His Holy Word. ---
This southern route definitely had its advantages as they derived benefit from the trade winds, and besides sailed in a warmer climate. American merchant vessels used this route when sailing on the Baltic harbours. However the Atlantic crossing was not without problems. Here is a report from one of the passengers:
--- For ten whole weeks we drifted about on the ocean until we arrived at our destination. Due to the captain’s incompetance we entered the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico and suffered constantly from bad weather and contrary wind. For four consecutive Fridays we experienced serious storms. Despite rough weather, limited space and scanty way of living aboard, we all were in the best of health ---
Gunleif Seldal