Immediately after passing the cape of Finisterre in the extreme north
westerly point of Spain the wind increases considerably and we prepare ship
and crew for a rough sea. The south westerly wind reaches speeds of over
thirty knots and with an expected average speed of thirteen knots we will be
able to pass the Gulf of Biscay in less than one and a half day. There is of
course one disadvantage with these winds: the wave height and therefore the
movements of the ship will increase together with our progress over the
Gulf. A very large influence on life on board of a ship. As the Dutch word
for 'Gulf' has the same meaning as 'Wave' it is that the remark: "Wave of
Biscay? I see a hundred waves here!" is made very shortly afterwards.

Cosmo Wassenaar
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam