William Albert Robinson

William Albert Robinson was born on August 13, 1902 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was an only child and grew up with his mother, Ella Huegin.

He made his name by sailing around the world in a small boat from June 1928 to November 1931 – the first man to accomplish the feat in so small a boat.

His first book "Deep Water and Shoal" recounting this incredible adventure, was published in 1932 and became a best seller.

Upon publication of his book, Robinson’s fame was renewed. He became known as one of the world’s great contemporary explorers.

Later, he was at the head of a little yard in Ipswich building schooners for the Gloucester fishing fleet and beautiful sailing yachts.

In 1945, William Robinson definitely left the United States with his new bride Sally White and on his 70 foot brigantine, Varua, sailed to Tahiti in search of new dreams. It was this man himself who said it is more important to have good dreams than to attain them, the ultimate happiness being not in the accomplishment but in the seeking. He lived his dream at last.

With Philomène Ah You Wan Kim, he had three girls, Hina, Tumata and Nona. On Varua, with Ah You and a native crew, he sailed on a year-long voyage along the clipper route in the forties and fifties, during which he encountered the ultimate storm (described in the book : To the Great Southern Sea).

Moved by the devastation caused by lymphatic filariasis which was affecting more than 80% of households in Tahiti and her islands, William Albert Robinson became renowned across the Pacific for his incredible work in successfully fighting this disease. Under his direction, the Institute of Medical Research of Oceania later called "Institut Malardé" was founded in 1947.

After Philomène’s tragic death in 1957, William Robinson married May Man Shook Wong in 1959 and a year later Rampa was born.

Robbie, as he was known, passed away on the 16th of January 1988 and is buried on the family property, on the land of Ofaipapa, in Tahiti.

His boat, Varua, which means "spirit" or "soul" in Tahitian, is considered by many aficionados to be the most beautiful and functionally perfect sailing yacht ever built. Based on his years of experience sailing the oceans of the world, the lines were worked up to Robinson's specifications by W. Starling Burgess, famous designer of the America's cup defender, Ranger, and numerous other fine ships.