Stock Photo - Sep. 09, 1969 - Accident of The Regina Maris Delays Sailing To Australia. A mock gun battle between two sailing ships in Plymouth Sound, was stopped after a cannon exploded injuring a young naval officer. Roger Callan, 22, had reloaded for his fifth shot from the deck of the Norwegian barquentine Regina Maris, when the charge burst in the barrel and blew up in his face. Boatswain Callan received extensive cuts and burns to his face and arms. After first aid treatment s motor launch landed him at Millbay Docks, where a waiting ambulance rushed him to hospital. Callan from Petworth, Sussex, was one of two English officers aboard the Regina Maris, which had set sail to retrace Captain Cool's voyage to Australia round Cape Horn. Her departure was delayed until yesterday. The other ship involved in the 'battle' was the Nomsuch, a Devon-built replica of the first vessel to explore Hudson Bay. The Regina Maris's voyage is expected to last a year and she is expected to arrive in Sydney to coincide with the Cook bi-centenary celebrations. Photo Shows:- Two vessels hull down both in picture. The Nomsuch is in foreground, and the Regina Maris in the background. (Credit Image: © Keystone Press Agency/Keystone USA via ZUMAPRESS.com)