Finding PAX is an award-winning history-mystery memoir beloved by readers all over the world.
First published in 2016 and now in 3rd edition, the book is a timeless and unforgettable story of Kaci’s seven year international journey to find the lost history of a beautiful wooden boat built in 1936. The search leads her to Denmark, British Columbia, and California archives, marinas, boatyards and into the homes of 10 families connecting, remembering, and bringing closure to more than 80 years’ history-some tragic, some poignant, and all life-changing.
“Finding her (Pax’s) history has given us ours,” said the granddaughter of Karl Thomsen, the Danish boatbuilder.
This is a memoir like no other; a quest and love story about a woman and a boat, written in prose that is poetic, spare and full of wisdom.
All images ©Kaci Cronkhite.
One of my fateful finds was a beautifully preserved photo album of this little sailor girl whose father, a dentist, owned PAX from 1938-46--before and through the Occupation of Denmark.
What a joy to spend time in Port Townsend with the "little girl in the life ring"--at 79. Neither of us will ever forget our sails together on PAX.
In Copenhagen with owner Erik Petersen, aboard SKARVEN, the 45m2 class MSJ Hansen designed spidsgatter which, in 1935, Karl Thomsen built right before PAX. With only 18 spidsgatters this size ever built, it was remarkable to find this sister ship still sailing and in excellent condition! Interior details helped to prove PAX's origins.
Per Bertelsen, grandson of the original owner of PAX. Thankfully, Per's daughter, a sailor and doctor in Copenhagen, saved the original log of the maiden voyage from Denmark to Belgium via Kiel Canal.
“Vær omhyggelig og lav et hæderligt stykke arbejde, for når båden er færdig, kan man ikke se, hvor mange timer der er brugt (på at bygge den), men man vil altid kunne se resultatet.” “Always take care and do a decent job because when the boat is finished you cannot see how many hours used but you and others will always see the result.” -KARL THOMSEN, boatbuilder Kalundborg, Denmark, circa 1961 Quote from interview with Thomsen’s last apprentice, Danny Laursen, in Kalundborg, Denmark, October 2014.