Alone at Sea: The Adventures of Joshua Slocum

by Ann Spencer

"I had only a moment to get all sail down and myself upon the peak halliards, out of danger, when I saw the mighty crest towering masthead-high above me. The mountain of water submerged my vessel. She shook in every timber and reeled under the weight of the sea ..." What would it be like to sail around the world by yourself, especially without the telecommunications and technical equipment we have today? Alone At Sea takes readers on such a thrilling journey. In 1895, Joshua Slocum embarked on a three-year, 46,000-mile solo circumnavigation of the globe. His boat, a refitted oyster sloop called Spray, took him through pirate-infested waters and horrific storms amidst the ghosts and demons of 36 months of solitude. Alone At Sea is his "On his first solo day, Slocum found himself enveloped by fog so thick 'one could almost stand on it.' It was as if his loneliness had been made visible as the thick fog 'lowered over the sea like a pall.' ...He and the Spray were one small speck on an all-encompassing sea, invisible to the rest of the world. Slocum pondered his invisibility with a growing awareness of his insignificance in the 'In the dismal fog I felt myself drifting into loneliness, an insect on a straw in the midst of the elements.'" This is the first original full-scale biography of Joshua Slocum in over 40 years. Ann Spencer spent years poring over the sailor's own journals and historical records buried in libraries and archives throughout New England and the Maritimes. She uncovered new facts, documents and photographs now published here. With Spencer's engaging text and peppered with Slocum's own journal entries, Alone At Sea is captivating reading for anyone interested in sailing, nautical history, travel and the soul of a true adventurer. Heroes come rarely in real life and this is the story of a too-little known maritime hero.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Adventure, Biography

322 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

Reviews

[Diana Sandberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and well-researched look at the life of a very peculiar man. From examples of his writing featured in the book, I'm glad I didn't try to read his own memoir. This is much more coherently written, though not as linear, with regard to the progress of his great solo voyage, as I was expecting. The author rather focuses on different aspects of his character, with illustrative anecdotes, than in narrating start-to-finish. There is a detailed timeline in the appendices, for those who wish it.

Spencer paints a very affecting picture of a man of great skill but also significant difficulties in coping with life. He was volatile and harsh, but also a devoted husband to his first wife, a woman of remarkable character herself. He seems never to have recovered from her loss, and his subsequent discombobulation appears to have been a driving factor in his undertaking the 3-year solo voyage around the world which made him famous. He never really managed to fit into life ashore, and as he and his craft both became old and infirm, they eventually disappeared together on his final voyage.

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this which came down to be mostly a biography. I was a bit disappointed that he turned out to be a real human with all the included weaknesses and foible instead of the hero from Sailing Alone Around the World

-read because I had read Joshua's epic sailing account in Sailing Alone Around the World and this had been recommended to me

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the subject of the book is very fascinating, and Ann Spencer put a lot of effort into researching the life of Joshua Slocum, there was just something missing from the pages to truly grab me. Perhaps it was the story telling - which was a jumbled mess of chronological, and then thematical, and then chronological again; or perhaps it was the constant quotations, while although interesting, often felt like they had been squeezed in as often as the author could manage. I am grateful for the introduction into Joshua Slocum's life, and I look forward to perhaps reading some of his own writings, now with a solid understanding of the type of person he was and the life that he lived.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

After living vicariously via my friend Melinda’s adventure with young solo circumnavigator Zac Sunderland and subsequently reading her review of “Dove,” I was surprised to find in one of my reading baskets “Alone at Sea The Adventures of Joshua Slocum.” Joshua Slocum is considered the first man to sail solo around the globe. He lived an amazing and interesting life but more fascinating than he, I found his wife to be. Virginia Albertina Walker Slocum was practically inseparable from her husband, the true love of her life. She braved childbirth alone at sea (twins even!), pirates, mutiny, storms, shipwreck, illness and many other challenges to remain with her children at her husband’s side. Hers is an incredible story of courage and creativity. Of course, Joshua’s adventures also capture the interest albeit with a totally different shipboard spirit.

Melinda, this one’s saved for you!

http://www.joshuaslocumsocietyintl.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_S...

[Tom Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars may be a tad high but Sailing Alone Around the World was such an impressive book that Ann Spencer's book on Captain Slocum could only benefit by the reflected light. The Slocum story has a tragic aspect - the decline of both The Spray and the Captain - especially of Joshua's failing mental capacity - it's the journey not the destination was never more true - it seemed there was no destination for the old salt other than the sea itself.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good addition to the story of Joshua Slocum. Well documented and researched. You feel the impact of Slocum's long periods at sea and away from family, both on Slocum and on his wife and children. Clearly he was driven by forces most of us don't feel. I recommend it for anyone who has read Slocum's own story.