We lost two boats today when they couldn't gather enough speed to
cross the equator. These setbacks in no way discourage us but do cause
many delays. We have even found it necessary to establish the
expedition position of manager of survivor retrieval.
The Israeli premier, Golda Meir, parted company with us today also
(she had been swimming alongside our fleet since we left Elat but when
she saw the damage our hapless boats caused to the equator and sensing
a touch in the offing for the damage claim, she turned and began the
backstroke for home; she was last seen sounding in the Gulf of Aden.