Key Takeaways
- Ben Carlin, an Australian mining engineer, circumnavigated the globe in an amphibious Ford GPA nicknamed “Half‑Safe,” completing the journey on May 13 1958 after a ten‑year effort.
- The idea originated during World War II when he saw the vehicle and believed a modestly modified version could travel worldwide.
- Ford declined sponsorship twice, doubting the car’s survivability on such an extreme trek.
- The inaugural Atlantic crossing with his wife Elinore lasted 32 days instead of the planned 10, as they unintentionally sailed into a hurricane, suffered hallucinations, and lost radio contact before being rescued by a passing cruiser near Madeira.
- After regrouping, they drove through Morocco, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, traversed Europe, and crossed the English Channel, then ventured into Turkey and the Middle East, noting that desert routes were far more perilous than the ocean leg.
- The couple shipped the vehicle from Calcutta to Perth for a break; Elinore opted to remain in Australia due to severe seasickness, prompting Ben to continue alone with a new Australian companion picked up in Burma.
- The solo leg took him through Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the USSR, Alaska, the United States, and finally to Montreal, amassing roughly 17 000 km of sea travel and 62 000 km over land.
- Seven months after finishing the circumnavigation, Ben and Elinore divorced; Elinore later married a pilot she met on the Azores.
- The Half‑Safe is now preserved and displayed at Guildford Grammar School in Perth, Carlin’s alma mater, commemorating his extraordinary adventure.
Early Inspiration and the Birth of an Idea
Ben Carlin first conceived the notion of driving around the world during World War II, when he encountered a Ford GPA, an amphibious utility vehicle used by the Allies. Impressed by its dual capability on land and water, he remarked that with “a bit of titivation” the car could be made suitable for a global trek. This seed of ambition grew despite his profession as a mining engineer, steering him toward a daring personal challenge that would later become legendary.
Ford’s Reluctance and the Honeymoon Voyage
When Carlin approached Ford for sponsorship, the company refused, fearing the modified GPA would not survive the harsh conditions of a worldwide journey. Undeterred, he adapted the vehicle by installing a bed in the rear and persuaded his new bride, Elinore, to embark on what was meant to be a honeymoon adventure across the Atlantic. Carlin again offered Ford the chance to back the expedition, but the automaker reiterated its skepticism, believing the trip would likely end in tragedy.
The Atlantic Ordeal
The couple set sail from Nova Scotia, expecting a ten‑day crossing to the Azores. Instead, they drifted into a hurricane, extending the voyage to 32 grueling days. During the storm they lost radio contact, prompting fears that they had perished at sea. Both Ben and Elinore experienced hallucinations while struggling to maintain their course, yet they persevered. Their perseverance was rewarded when a passing cruiser refueled them near Madeira, where they arrived to great fanfare and relief.
European Crossing and the Strait of Gibraltar
After recuperating in Madeira, the Carlins drove the Half‑Safe from the Canary Islands to Morocco. They chose to navigate Moroccan terrain at night to avoid the oppressive daytime heat. From there, they crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, entered Spain, and proceeded northward through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands before navigating the English Channel. Each leg presented its own logistical hurdles, from varying road qualities to bureaucratic border crossings, yet the amphibious car proved adaptable enough to keep moving forward.
Through Turkey, the Middle East, and the Persian Challenge
Continuing eastward, the couple drove across Europe into Turkey, crossing the Bosporus Strait, and then pressed on into the Middle East. Reflecting later, Ben noted that the 2,000‑mile Atlantic stretch from Nova Scotia to the Azores was, in many respects, less worrisome than comparable distances covered on the “murderous roads” of Persia. The desert routes tested both vehicle and endurance, with scorching temperatures, sparse services, and navigational difficulties amplifying the sense of isolation.
Pacific Interlude and a Change of Plans
Having reached Calcutta, the Carlins opted to ship the Half‑Safe by steamer to Perth, Australia, for a respite. During this break, Elinore decided to remain in Australia, citing chronic seasickness endured while aboard the amphibious vehicle. Her departure marked a turning point: Ben would continue the circumnavigation without his original partner, seeking fresh companionship and renewed determination for the remaining legs of his journey.
Solo Trek Across Asia and the Americas
From Calcutta, Ben set out alone, eventually picking up another Australian traveler in Burma. He drove the Half‑Safe through Vietnam, then crossed water to Hong Kong, proceeded to Taiwan, and made his way to Japan. After traversing the Japanese archipelago, he entered the USSR, crossed Siberia, and entered Alaska. From there, he drove south through Canada and the United States, ultimately arriving in Montreal. In total, the journey logged approximately 17 000 km of sea travel and 62 000 km over land, spanning a decade of relentless perseverance.
Aftermath, Divorce, and Legacy
Seven months after completing the circumnavigation in May 1958, Ben and Elinore finalized their divorce. Elinore went on to remarry a pilot she had met during their Atlantic stopover in the Azores. Ben’s extraordinary feat, however, endured in memory: the modified Ford GPA, affectionately dubbed “Half‑Safe” after a contemporary deodorant slogan, was preserved and placed on display at Guildford Grammar School in Perth, his alma mater. The exhibit serves as a tangible reminder of an audacious blend of engineering ingenuity, marital partnership, and sheer human tenacity that captured imaginations worldwide.