Voting Station

Donald Crowhurst

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Adventurer

The Resume

    (1932-circa July 1, 1969)
    Born in Ghaziabad, India
    Designed and sold a radio direction finder called the Navicator
    To drum up interest in his business, participated in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race to become the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world
    Made his last radio transmission on June 29, 1969
    His boat, the Teignmouth Electron, was found adrift, unoccupied on July 10, 1969
    Subject of the documentary ‘Deep Water’ (2006)

Why he might be annoying:

    When he fell behind early in the race, he began sailing about the South Atlantic while radioing false reports of his location.
    His false times prompted fellow competitor Nigel Tetley to press his boat so hard that it broke up and sank 1,200 miles from the finish.
    His behavior recorded in his logs became increasingly irrational.
    As it became clear that his final time would be one of the two fastest of the race and that his logs would be closely examined exposing his deception, he apparently committed suicide by jumping overboard.
    Ironically, before setting off on the race he said, ‘One’s psychology has to be fairly stable, and one has to be constantly aware of the risks one is running.’

Why he might not be annoying:

    He had to leave school early due to family financial problems.
    He was elected to the Bridgwater, England, town council.
    Tetley received a 1,000 pound consolation prize.
    The Golden Globe Race winner, Robin Knox-Johnston, donated his winnings to Crowhurst’s widow and children.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 1385 Votes: 72.27% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 71 Votes: 61.97% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 16 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 14 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 20 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 31 Votes: 67.74% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 36 Votes: 55.56% Annoying