Stories

Chapter 4 - The Boat Trip - Julian Ritter & The Galilee

 

 

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Julian Ritter was a well known artist and bigger than life personality. He painted Nudes of Showgirls, "hookers and whores" [his words], and became elite in the Vegas world. After his wife passed away, he set sail from Santa Barbara, on the 45' Galilee, for a lifelong dream of sailing the world. Months later, Broke and in Jail down in Costa Rica, he was bailed out by 17 year old Laurie Kokx from Santa Barbara. Together, they set sail for the South Seas, on what would be a three year journey. After spending time in Tahiti and Bora Bora, Laurie and Julian took on another crewman, Winfried Heiringhoff, and then set sail for Hawaii on their final leg to go home to Santa Barbara.

 

But the seas were rough, and the Galilee and its crew unprepared. Not long after leaving Bora Bora the Galilee ran into trouble. Soon the mast was disabled, the radio and motor out. Then a leak sprung down below. For 89 days the boat was lost.  Julian, Laurie and Winfried clung to life. Scraping Algae off the side of the boat. For 59 days there was no food. They weakly hung a sign atop the cabin, `NO FOOD,  NO POSITION'.  Preying a passing vessel, or plane, or God, would see them, and help.

 

From the California Coast a friend, Dr. Al Blackburn, and patron of Julian's tirelessly worked his Ham Radio. Coaxing, pleading, demanding that anyone and everyone be on the lookout. Imploring the navy, the Coast Guard, and all merchant ship to be aware, and to look for the Galilee.

 

On September 14, 1970, the USS Niagara Falls spots the ailing vessel. North of Hawaii. 250 miles 'off-course'. Rescued at sea are Julian Ritter 61, Laureen Kokx 22, and Winfried Heiringhoff 28.

 

In November 1970, the USS Navy,  COMSERVPAC INFORMATION BULLETIN, features a story titled `Rescue at Sea', including the following: The Galilee was 400 miles northwest of Hawaii. Niagra Falls crew members who boarded the ship found the three survivors starving, exhausted, and burned raw by wind and sun. They were gaunt and emaciated and barely able to stand, noted LCdt P. M. Young noted.

 

The ships  Doctor Lt Philip A. Becker said his main concern in keeping them alive was their total loss of body weight.  Dr Becker estimated they could have stayed alive for only four more days at best.

 

After boarding the Galilee, and when crewman from Niagara Falls asked Ritter to go aboard their ship, he refused, until assured his craft would be well taken care of.

 

When Niagara Falls arrived in Pearl Harbor newsmen from all media were waiting to go aboard for a news conference. Along with the survivors were the Commander of the Niagara Falls, Captain Edgar M. Cocke, commanding officer of Niagara Falls, and the attending Doctor, Dr. Philip Becker.

 

The ships Doctors states the men were within days of death, and the woman was so close to death, he takes two days of intensive medical attention aboard the Niagara, before declaring Laurie out of danger. `She was hours from death' - the Doctor later says.

 

As Winfriend departed he let out his sentiments; " Hip, hip, hooray for the U.S.A." Laurie, Julian, and Winfried all expressed their heartfelt thanks to the crew of the Niagara Falls. And in one last gesture, Julian left a painting of a reclining nude, probably Laurie, with the ship  as his gift to the crew of the Falls.

 

And this, is simply the back story, of the life of Julian Ritter. An artist who was  master of the Twentieth Century, yet remains obscure in the art annals.
A man, a personality, a character, an Artist, who was bigger than life.

 

 

September, 14 1970
The Pacific

 

USS Niagara Falls Rescues the 45' Yawl, Galilee.

Lost at Sea 89 days.

On board are Julian Ritter 60, Laureen Kokx 20, and Winfried Heiringhoff 28.