Wander Bird, Star of the Screen

In 1936, Warwick ‘Commodore’ Tompkins sailed from Gloucester, MA, to San Francisco via Cape Horn aboard his family’s 85-ft 1896 Elbe River pilot schooner, Wander Bird. He was 4 years old at the time. Now 82, the Mill Valley-based Commodore, who has often graced the pages of Latitude 38 and ‘Lectronic Latitude, is cruising his Wylie 38+ Flash Girl in New Zealand. But he took time out from his travels to narrate a film about the remarkable adventure of Wander Bird.

The captain of Wander Bird, Commodore’s father, Warwick Tompkins, Sr., filmed the voyage with the intention of showing the footage in theaters. That dream was never realized. However, 78 years later, filmmaker Oleg Harencar collaborated with Commodore to edit the original footage into a new film, which will debut this Wednesday at St. Francis Yacht Club’s Yachting Luncheon. Harencar will be on hand to answer questions.

Members of all yacht clubs are invited. The luncheon begins at 11:45, with the presentation beginning at 12:30. Expect to spend about $25, not including drinks. Click here for more info and to register, or call the club at (415) 563-6363.