Chichester, Sir Francis

Chichester, Sir Francis (1901-72), b. Shirwell, Devon, England.

He was knighted in 1967 after sailing alone around the world in a yacht, Gipsy Moth IV, in 274 days, faster than anyone before.

He led a life of adventure. In 1929-31 he made a number of famous flights and in 1960 he won the first one-man yacht race from England to America.

Gipsy Moth IV was on display for many years at Greenwich, but can now be seen at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy in Cowes where she is in use as a teaching aid for young people interested in sailing.

In Sir Francis Chichester GIPSY MOTH CIRCLES THE WORLD the sixty Five year Old Navigator's own account of His 226 Day Lone Voyage Including the Conquest of Cape Horn