The Venturesome Voyages of Captain Voss

The Mariners Library #3

by John Claus Voss

John (sometimes "Jack") Claus Voss (born Johannes Claus Vos; 1858-1922) was a Canadian sailor best known for sailing around the world in a modified dug-out canoe he named Tilikum (boat) ("Friend" in Chinook jargon). He started in 1901 with his friend Norman Luxton and ending alone in 1904. He chronicled this and other notable voyages in The Venturesome Voyages of Captain Voss.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nautical, Travel

326 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1913

About the author

John (sometimes "Jack") Claus Voss (born Johannes Claus Voss; 1858–1922) was a German-Canadian sailor best known for sailing around the world in a modified dug-out canoe he named Tilikum ("Friend" in Chinook jargon). Initially a carpenter, Voss apprenticed on a ship voyaging around Cape Horn and thereafter lived primarily as a sailor. In 1901 Voss began his most noteworthy voyage with his friend Norman Luxton and ending alone in 1904. He chronicled this and other notable voyages in The Venturesome Voyages of Captain Voss.

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of three voyages by JC Voss, (approx 1854-1922).
Firstly a voyage in a small boat from Victoria (Canada) to Cocos Island (Costa Rica), then his epic around-the-world trip in a modified Indian canoe (from Vancouver Island), sailing from Victoria to the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil to the UK. This trip is nothing short of amazing, in such a small craft, and under incredible circumstances.
The third voyage is from Japan, and involves surviving (but only just) a typhoon.
This guy is incredible.

[Richard Kastelein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little known but brilliant tale of crossing the pacific in a canoe at the turn of the century. Hard to find, but great book.

[David Koblos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sailing around the world in a canoe around the turn of the century, before sophisticated equipment was available, with a superbly storyteller, who not only seems to know his yarn well but can spin together a whole tapestry of storms, calms, and treasure hunts, all in a jovial and free-spirited manner.

[Mickey Bits · Rating 5 out of 5]

This version includes the voyage of the Xora which was left out of the Sailing Classics series edited by Jonathan Raban. This might be of interest to folks who felt cheated when reading it. It includes a different introduction too.

[Robert Ditterich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Voss was an early and enthusiastic exponent of the use of sea anchors, particularly for small boats on very big voyages. This book contains several of these ground-breaking small boat voyages, narrated with panache and an eye not only for weather and sail trimming detail, but some acute observations of humanity in his descriptions of crew under pressure.
Written at the very start of the 20th Century, the book reveals aspects of the world that are now so utterly different- as are his very Euro-centric views about the peoples of the places he visited, but he was a generous man very much of his time.

Highly recommended for 'armchair' and other sailors, this is very readable. There are several editions about, mine was a hardcover lent to me which had an interesting introduction by Richard Hughes. Published by Rupert Hart-Davis, London in 1955. There are more recent editions.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Around the world in the Tiklikum, 1901 - the first hand account of the sailor who navigated from Vancouver Island to cross the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans in a 38 foot converted dugout canoe. A hardy sailor, Voss is detailed in his descriptions of waves and storms and the minutae of his voyage, with hair-raising accounts of violent typhoons and massive storms, with his mate washed overboard and disappearing in one particularly chilling episode. He documents his ports-of-call in detail, giving a very unique perspective of the planet at the beginning of the 20th Century, lost times and cultures, with typically manly vigor. Fascinating find.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Actually really easy to read given given that it was written over a hundred years ago. I can't say that I followed all the authors descriptions of his ships gear - some pictures would have helped, but I understood the basic idea. A number of my ancestors served in the merchant navy which I think made this book particularly interesting to me. I think I'll likely read it again. A bit hard to find, but a great book!

[Jim Corson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well told tale of small boat (modified Indian Canoe) travel across 3 oceans. A well told tale by the man who did it.

[Douglas Maccutcheon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good blue water sailing descriptions and advice for dealing with heavy weather. Simply written and sometimes witty

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I repeat my advice: be most careful in running, and heave to rather a little earlier that might be deemed necessary by others." - Capt Voss.

Good advice for life, actually.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The call of the sea is a strong one, blue waves and whistling breezes, never ending charm. I have found greatest treasure upon Captain Voss words. Three mesmerizing voyage stories: setting sail in the 35-foot sloop Xora from B. C. for the Cocos Island in search of buried treasure! Three years three months and twelve days making a fascinating voyage round the world in the 38-foot canoe Tilikum and striking a world record out of it! Facing all kinds of weathers and sea dangers with the two of them and lastly but not less enchanting, with the Sea Queen, who outlived one of the worst typhoons that may have ever blown in the North Pacific.
Weathering heavy gales, hanging on dear life, but also hovering countless of nights with full moon and dainties evening aboard, blue bosom of great oceans appearing before the incredible seafaring men aboard, the mesmerizing Great Barrier Reef, water teeming with all varieties of life, tropical stars twinkling overheads, all the islanders who opened hearts and homes for those who set sail and travelled the seas. How much would I have loved to be part of the crew be a real seawoman at that time and explore the vastness of that world. I am out of words to express how much and how thoroughly I have enjoyed these voyages and the voice narrating every vicissitude faced, every blessing gifted by father Neptune. And how fascinating and how many hearty laughs I have exhaled! I have also learned new techniques for the spell of the sea and I hope to master them soon and maybe one day venture the world with nothing more of a small vessel and my will. And a great crew of course.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspired my grandfather to start sailing and he named one of his boats Tilikum, the Chinook word for friend. I have followed in my grandfathers sailing wake and named 2 of my boats Tilikum. It’s a remarkable and rather harrowing story about a sailor and a writer setting off on a very adventurous sail that was to burnish Voss’ reputation as a sailor and Norman Luxton’s reputation as a writer. Luxton ends up nearly dead and has an understandable hatred of Voss. Between the sailing and the temperaments its a gripping sea story.

[Holland Vande Krol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Voss attempted to cross three oceans in the dugout canoe, Tillikum, in addition to other voyages in small vessels. His experience sailing occurred at the beginning of the 20th century, when islanders would welcome sailors with parades, feasts, and gifts. He had quite an adventure.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great real story book, full of sea adventures