Hi, To all the Errol Flynn fans, for My first story to introduce myself, I will tell you why and how I became more interested in Errol Flynn as the years went on……. Growing up in the late 40s and 50s, some where there was always a Errol Flynn movie being shown at the movies or on TV when it first arrived, and after seeing a Flynn movie, you could always somehow remember his face but not necessary the name of the movie, Flynn's looks seem to leave a permanent picture on the brain….And then when his movies became less frequent and other things entered your life, (girls, cars,etc.) well, you know! I remember at home one morning and my mother was reading the newspaper, when she slowly put the newspaper down, went into the other room, sat down and said to my father, “Errol Flynn has just died”, as if it was a member of the family….
They were very E.F. fans especially my mother (and that's another story)…… The years rolled on….When I was in my early twenties, I had the opportunity to go onboard Errol's schooner “Sirocco” I could not believe it, Me on Errol Flynn's boat, amazing… to walk the deck and anywhere I liked, all through the cabins, then it hits you, you start to remember, the movies of Flynn, and for a moment you start think you are Errol Flynn, Oh.! What an extraordinary feeling…..
Some years later, when I was in the south of France, and was talking to some people from my hotel and they knew that I was from Australia, one said ' your movie friend Errol Flynn's boat is down there, I said ” Oh.! Sirocco”… No, No, the other boat “Zaca”, I could not believe it, I had thought Zaca had sunk years ago, I could not get down to the marina quick enough, and there she was, just sitting there, stripped of everything, what a wreck!
I obtained permission to go onboard, well, what can one say, in my lifetime to be on both of Errol Flynn's Yachts, I walked around the deck for about an hour, just thinking and staring… could not go below all boarded up! At that not knowing much about Zaca and Flynn's private life away from his movie making; it was some years later when Errol's movies became available on DVD that I mention to my wife about being on Flynn's boats, and might do some research on Zaca, and to do an Oil painting of her, I have been an artist for a number of years amongst other adventurous titles. Looking through dozens of Errol Flynn Web sites have realised how popular Errol is today. Finished the painting of Zaca as she was in 1946 (the painting is for sale to anyone interested). Have started on painting “Sirocco”. Then will do a portrait of Errol…..what happened to John Decker's painting of Flynn?
Regards to all, Trevor
— Trevor Hill
Anonymous
March 12, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Welcome, Trevor, and wonderful stories.
The Decker portrait (not very good at all, in my opinion) is with Patrice in Jamaica, and was damaged and almost lost in a storm a number of years ago.
Robert
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 12:09 am
Welcome Trevor! As Robert mentioned, the Decker painting is with Patrice.
Patti
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 12:36 am
And she can have it!
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 1:16 am
Hi Trevor and welcome to our unique Errol Flynn Blog!
Quite a story having been on both of Errol's boats, how lucky can you get! Where was it when you where on the Sirocco and what year?
You are saying you want to make some research into the Zaca, take a look under the tab “Ships and the sea” at the right of this website. You may see what is missing there and bring us new information about the Zaca. I hope you don't mind me saying that the Sirocco was not a schooner she was a Classic Wooden Ketch a one mast (original) a fishing boat built 1929. The schooner was the Zaca! We sincerely are looking forward to hear more interesting stories about Errol from you.
Fair winds and good weather to you!
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 1:21 am
Hi Robert;
Why don't you paint Errol? You painted Jimmy Stewart superbly!
I buy Errol's as long it does not cost a million! Nobody could paint Errol better than you Robert! That is a fact!
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 1:27 am
I am quite flattered, Tina. Someday, time permitting, I just may create a piece.
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 1:38 am
I sincerely hope you take the time before I visit Errol! After all – I then have the original – hopefully on a nice soft cloud!
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 1:39 am
I agree!
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 1:41 am
I agree!
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 7:44 pm
I wouldn't bet on that soft cloud; more than likely it would be a warm rock–very warm.
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Hi Robert;
So you think he is smoldering on very warm rocks? I think with is charisma he charmed his way right to heavenly white soft clouds!
But if not a very warm rock would be fine too! I am sure he would find a way to make this special rock no Hell at all! Champagne would cool it! Cheers!
Anonymous
March 13, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Robert these two replies of mine saying “I agree” are in reply to your comment “And she can have it!”, they just would not go to the right place. I don't know why – I pressed the reply button on your comment, but they had a mind of their own.
Anonymous
March 15, 2010 at 3:57 am
Hi Trevor, nice stories. Lucky you to be on both Sirocco and Zaca! I am the same vintage as you when I was first introduced to Errol–through movies on TV. I was in sixth grade when he died and had a broken heart because it was Robin Hood and Geoffrey Thorpe who died! At that time I had no idea he was only four years older than my own dad and had a daughter older than I. Later, I wasn't interested in his life, but I still loved watching his movies. Now I am fascinated about his life from start to finish and reading every book and stories told.
Anonymous
March 17, 2010 at 9:55 am
Hi, Tina thanks for the E.mail and thank You for your comment Re.
E.F. site .started the drawing for Flynn's portrait,
painting soon,
may not get around to answer all comments , not feeling well.
Yours Trevor
Anonymous
March 17, 2010 at 10:07 am
Good'Day , Kathleen, thank You for your nice comment,yes you are
right ,most people these days are more fascinated about Errol then
in the early days, Kindest Regards Trevor.
Anonymous
March 17, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Trevor;
Thanks for contributing that fascinating personal story of yours. I am so glad that you are here at this blog, and I thank David for somehow finding these very professional writers and introducing them to us.
Best Wishes
Ralph
mauikym
September 19, 2012 at 5:16 pm
I am trying to find out the name of Errol’s boat that sunk off of Anacapa Island in the Channel Island chain off of the California Coast.
Thank you,
Kym
Inga
September 20, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Kym, could you provide some more details, please? Where did you read about the boat and when did it sink?