From the news archives 57 years ago: These were the voyages of the Poor Man’s Kon-Tiki

It all started with five guys (actually, six guys) looking for a bit of adventure and a cheap vacation (Google News http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=jvrRlaHg2sAC&dat=19540719&printsec=frontpage&hl=en, page 4)...

The Milwaukee Journal July 19, 1954

But for shifting winds and serpentine navigation (Google News http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=4pF9x-cDGsoC&dat=19540721&printsec=frontpage&hl=en, page 2)...

Eugene Register-Guard July 21, 1954

Having learned a few lessons, the intrepid explorers embark yet again (Google News http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=4pF9x-cDGsoC&dat=19540802&printsec=frontpage&hl=en, page 4; http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=Y3Sh7dCAXz0C&dat=19540802&printsec=frontpage&hl=en, page 1; and http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=Y3Sh7dCAXz0C&dat=19540803&printsec=frontpage&hl=en, page 1)...

Eugene Register-Guard August 2, 1954

Oxnard Press-Courier August 2, 1954

Oxnard Press-Courier August 3, 1954

I don’t really believe this headline (Google News http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=4pF9x-cDGsoC&dat=19540804&printsec=frontpage&hl=en, page 7)...

Eugene Register-Guard August 4, 1954

They finally reached Catalina Island, but not the intended way (Google News http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=gUOu-QWEMMQC&dat=19540805&printsec=frontpage&hl=en, page 3)...

The Modesto Bee August 5, 1954

-Tom

I wonder if any of these guys are still around? They would be in their late 70s and early 80s. THIS article has a reply at the bottom of it from John W Strobel III. John notes that Jerry Straughan became a marine biologist, John has a Facebook account that lists Jerry as a friend (presumably they are both still alive) The other crew members are not listed.

Mike, a good question and a good find. I ran across this December 23, 2008 reminiscence of the adventure by Jerry Straughan which began “I just returned from a week long family gathering that takes place in Ventura California, each year around Christmas time... During each of my visits I generally spend some time strolling along the beach and walking to the end of the Ventura pier. On this occasion, as I neared the end of the pier, I stopped to take in the view of Anacapa and Santa Cruse islands that are some thirty miles off shore. As I paused by the railing, my thoughts turned to an event that I was involved in, that took place on this very pier on July 18, 1954...”

Also, this old news photo is available on a German eBay site (excuse the watermarks)...

-Tom