Gordy Eschner

Gordy and Kim Eschner
December 18, 1953—January, 1984

25 years ago Gordy and Kim sailed from Australia toward New Zealand across the Tasman Sea with Beezer, their cat, aboard the Tekea II a 30" Ketch.

Something happened on that crossing. Sailors say weather, Psychics say murder.

Either way, we miss them dearly and treasure the continued contact from those who knew and loved them.

My intention is to write a book about them so if you were their friends (or their foes) feel free to send your stories and experiences to add to the puzzle! Eve Eschner Hogan

Al Eschner

Gordy Eschner

Special Thanks to Sid and Debbie Hort and Mal Stewart for the pictures, stories, Gordy's beer recipe (!) and deep friendship of Gordy and Kim. We so appreciate you!

Log of Sid and Debbie Hort, Australia:

This is the story of our time with Kim and Gordon Eschner. At the time we sailed with Kim and Gordy, we had a Triton 24' boat called Nardoo. She was 24'9" long and 8'6" beam designed as a s harbor racer.

August 9, 1983, Pancake Creek

We stood off Pancake Creek all night because we were too late on the 8th of Aug to safely enter. When we mototed in early on the 9th, at anchor were about 3-4 other boats, one beinga pretty 30 Ketch flying the Stars and Stripes. As we had been up all night, we hit the sack and woke up around noon. One of the boats at anchor had raised a signal flag saying, "BBQ on the beach tonight." That evening, we motored our little tender over to the beach. This is where we met. They were a friendly, happy couple, well tanned and looking very fit. We had a short conversation, a few beers and a bit to eat and all went back to our boats. Next morning we went our separate ways.

August 24, 1983, Middle Percy Island

It had been a couple of weeks since we met and as we sailed omtp tje anchorage, there was that prety ketch again, flag still flying. We went over to say "gooday" and were invited onboard. We were now wailing in company with a 27 footer called Osprey crewed by Paul and Penny. They rowed over and came onboard too. We introduced them to Kim and Gordon and we sat down and got to know each other. Paul and I hadn't had a cold beer for a while so Gordon produced 3 coldies. We though they were VB's (one of Australia's favorite beers) as the bottles were VB's. Cold beer on a hot day, Gordon was a hero, and VB too! Then he told us it was his home brew made with honey. Bloody nice drop, we both exclaimed.

Later, we went off to the beach for the mandatory BBQ. There were a few yachties on the beach where visiting sailors in the past had built a rather elaborate A-frame with a BBQ that had a spit.

Also on the island there was a makeshift post office with hundreds of plaques with boat's names on them. Gordon disappeared and came back some time later with a rather well-built plaque with Tekea II proudly inscribed on it. Later, I put a piece of tin with Nardoo printed on it in marking pen, probably long faded now. I'd hazard a guess that Gordon's is still standing proud.

Now Middle Percy Island was owned by a religious man called Andy. Andy had posted a notice in the A-frame, "Whole goats, dressed, $14," so we got together to raise the funds. When we got to Gordon, he said that he and Kim were vegetatians so wouldn't take part. Vegetarians being far and few between in Oz at the time, the odd joke was made at their expense, light heartedly of course. Well, we sent a delegation up to Andy's house about a mile away and before they even got back we heard the shot. An hour later the goat showed up. We started the spit and on went the goat. We turned it by hand for hours.

When the time came, we cut it up and tried to eat it. I say "try" because it was so tough you couldn't even get your teeth into it, let alone chew it. Last we saw of it a dog was growling at it trying to eat it. By this time Gordon and Kim had finished a rather good looking veggie meal and over a beer Gordon rather satisfyingly says, "Who's the joke on now?"

Next morning the wind came onshore and the anchorage became very animated indeed. The previous day Gordon , Paul, the girls and I had been talkigna bout going to Digby Island. I was checkign my anchor and looked over to Tekea and Osprey, seeing them both on deck I pointed towards Digby. So in a 3-foot chop, we up anchored and sailed in that direction.

Digby was a short sail from Middle Percy and we were soon at anchor in a nice little peaceful bay. We all soon had our dinghy's in the water and rowed ashore. OUr visit was very short as the mosquitos on Digby were big enouch to carry you away. So we retired to Tekea for a nice cup of tea and a chat. Soon Gordon and I were talking about cars and I mentioned that I like Bug Eye Sprites. To my astonishment, Gordon proudly announced that he owned one! Wow. What a mate I had found here as he went on to say that if we visit them in the States, Deb and I could borrow it for a few days. That afternoon, we had sundowners and an early evening as your stay on Middle Percy had been non-stop partying with little sleep as the anchorage was very exposed and rolley.

August 27, 1983, Mackay

We left Digby and headed for Mackay.Osprey and Tekea promptly put spinnakers up and flew away from us. I had no spinnaker and turned to Deb and said, "First job in Mackay, BUY A SPINNAKER!" We reached the outer harbor and Osprey and I took up two empty pile births. Tekea anchored near the yacht club.

Next day we all went to taown some 2-4 kilometers away by bus. Now Kim and Gordon had a cat called Beezer that I had met by him clawing one day as I held Tekea's gunnel and gave me a rather painful cut that took a ong while to heal. Gordon suggested that we needed a cat so we went to the local pet shop and paid $5 and Deb and I had a cat. Very strange really because I hate cats and soon this little pussy realized the fact and gave me hell. It ate my electrical wires ina very hard part of the yacht to reach and fix and generally disappeared in the dark regions of the boat for you know what. Later at Airley Beach, I managed to give it to another boat along with a six pack of beer to sweeten the deal. When Gordon asked after the cat later, I said the poor cat fell over board and was quickly taken by the tide before I could save it. I don't think he believed me, but we spoke no more of the matter.
We had a few days in Mackay, did some shopping, and stocked up.I met up with some friends from Wollongong where I was raised. Tomorrow, off to Brampton Island.

(More soon....I am having to retype as the computer won't let me cut and paste for some reason. We are also going to scan some more photos...)