Simon Bjorn Ackwayus

Simon Bjorn Ackwayus (September 12, 1887-October 27, 1968), commonly known as "Simon Ack", was a famous English born sailor and physicist.. At the age of 10, Ackwayus' parents, Marie and Edgar, moved to Canada where they were promised a large plot of farmland in West Ottawa. After graduating high school, Ackwayus moved back to West Liverpool, his place of birth. A further 2 years after his high school graduation, Simon Ackwayus attended University of London where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and later his Masters in Hydrodynamic Engineering. During his studies at the University, Ackwayus became well acquainted with colleagues of the Ford Motor Company. He became a specialist well known for his early developmental research in laminar hydrodynamics. In the late 1930's, Ackwayus worked closely with Edsel Ford during and was a key designer in the suspension system for the Ford Model A
Atlantic Voyage
As a child, one of Ackwayus' long term childhood friends named Pinto had been scheduled to sail to America on The Titanic. After the monumental sinking, Ackwayus became inspired by, and to a degree obsessed, with the Atlantic crossing. He spent 6 years designing a custom built sailboat, which included a waterproof closed cabin, wood fireplace, extensive kitchen. The single man boat measured a colossal 35 feet in length and was fitted with 3 keels specifically designed, by him, for the boat. On July 12th 1942 he set sail for Halifax Harbour. He was the 3rd person to successfully sail the 2900 mile transatlantic voyage.
Pinto Ackwayus
Pinto Ackwayus, named after Simon Ackwayus' childhood friend, was born at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in the spring of 1928. He was born with no arms, and quickly contracted pneumonia, which hampered his growth. At the age of 15, Pinto was still attending a special school as his mental age was that of about a 7 year old. Pinto's disabilities greatly depressed Simon, and eventually he was traded to gypsies for 6kg of potatoes. Pinto toured with the gypsies and performed every year at the Ottawa SuperEX
Death
Simon Ackwayus and his wife Edina where tragically killed in a house fire when Pinto accidentally launched a firework into their bedroom window in the middle of the night. Investigators found the cause of death for both to be smoke inhalation.
Trivia
The song Golden Potatoes on a Rainy Wednesday was written about Ackwayus' dog aptly named "Golden Potato's" after one of Ackwayus' children fed the dog 6kg of unripe potatoes.

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