A Mile Down: The True Story of a Disastrous Career at Sea

by David Vann

If you've ever owned a sailboat or had a friend who did, you know how it begins: with a dream. You dream about the ship, and gradually the dream consumes you. Practical considerations lose all meaning ... until, inevitably, the dream morphs into a nightmare. David Vann is familiar with that nightmare. His begins in Turkey: a thirty-year-old tourist, he stumbles across the steel frame of a ninety-foot sailboat that cries out to be built. From friends, family, and credit cards, he borrows the 150,000 to construct the ship. The Turkish builders take shameless advantage of him, eventually charging him over 500,000. On the edge of financial ruin, Vann starts a chartering business. But, when some new part of the ship isn't falling apart, he encounters freak storms. As his debts escalate, Vann begins to wonder if he is merely repeating his father's dreams and failures at sea—which ended with his father's suicide. At once a page-turning true story of adventure on the open ocean and an archetypal tale of one man's attempt to overcome fate and realize his dream, A Mile Down is an unforgettable story of struggle and redemption by a writer at the top of his form.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2005

About the author

Published in 19 languages, David Vann’s internationally-bestselling books have won 15 prizes, including best foreign novel in France and Spain and, most recently, the $50,000 St. Francis College Literary Prize 2013, and appeared on 70 Best Books of the Year lists in a dozen countries. He has written for the Atlantic Monthly, Esquire, Outside, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Guardian, The Sunday Telegraph, The Financial Times, Elle UK, Esquire UK, Esquire Russia, National Geographic Adventure, Writer’s Digest, McSweeney’s, and other magazines and newspapers. A former Guggenheim fellow, National Endowment for the Arts fellow, Wallace Stegner fellow, and John L’Heureux fellow, he is currently a Professor at the University of Warwick in England and Honorary Professor at the University of Franche-Comté in France.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vann, better known for fiction, tells the real-life story of his ill-fated journeys at sea. In 1997 he began running educational charter tours in association with Stanford, where he was a creative writing lecturer trying to shop his first novel. He hired a Turkish crew to build him a boat of his own, and before long shoddy workmanship, language difficulties, bureaucracy, and debts started to make it all seem like a very bad idea. Was he cursed? Would he follow his father into suicide?

The day-to-day details of boat-building and sailing can be tedious, and there’s an angry tone that’s unpleasant; Vann seems to think everybody else was incompetent or a crook. However, he does an incredible job of narrating two climactic storms he sailed through. These sections would make excellent long-form essays. You could take this as a cautionary tale about the power of the sea, but I most appreciated a glimpse into the philosophy that informs his novels.

See my full review at Nudge.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

David Vann is on holiday in Turkey when he comes across a 90-foot yacht for sale. In an impetuous moment, he decides that this boat will be the one that helps him fulfil his long-held desire to own a boat of his own. He manages to raise $150,000 after begging and borrowing money from family and friends and maxing out his credit cards and sets about repairing and renovating the boat. The only problem is that the guy who runs the boatyard sees him as an easy target and ends up charging him half a million dollars for what is frankly an appalling job. With his out of control debt and the stress of everything, he wonders if he is going to follow the same tragic path as his father
But finally, he has his boat and the beginnings of a business. Sailing with a crew they are hit by a huge storm that destroys their rudder. Helpless and at the mercy of the storm, a ship comes alongside to tow them to safety. Alive but boat less, he manages to forget about anything marine for a while until another opportunity arises and he buys another boat.

There were some parts about this book that I liked and there was a fair amount that grated. You could tell he was going to be ripped off from day one on his renovations on the vessel, and whilst you need to trust those that are doing work for you, he seemed to have an unbelievable level of naivety. What salvages the book though is the description and drama of what are completely terrifying moments of almost-disaster at sea. It is worth reading just for those parts. Overall not bad, but not great.

[Claire Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a very stressful read, mostly because of personal experience (my first husband had a big sailing boat, and my memories of being on it are not good), but also, really, because terrible things happen to Vann and the boat he has built in Turkey - poor workmanship, financial difficulties and storms all feature. The writing wasn't as enjoyable as Vann's fiction, although he does state that he set out to write a very straightforward book. It does also feel at times that Vann blames everyone but himself for the things that go wrong; there's quite a lot of hubris in this book. But it was still a good (if anxiety making) read.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mile Down is the first non-fiction book by award-winning American novelist, David Vann. In it, Vann narrates the events that lead to him buying a steel boat hull in Turkey with the purpose of outfitting it to use for an educational charter business. In giving up his steady job at Stanford to take on this risky venture, Vann sees parallels to his father’s life, and later wonders if he, too, will be reduced to committing suicide when things go badly. Vann’s narration is interesting from the first page, and leads the reader through several exciting climaxes. His frustration with the various tradesmen he has to rely on is palpable, and his naïveté in entrusting his project to others whilst unable to maintain adequate vigilance over it will have readers shaking their heads in disbelief. The unscrupulousness of certain tradesmen, crew, petty officials and even rescuers will leave readers gasping, yet the generosity of family, various friends, investors and even an insurance assessor are equally amazing. Van’s prose skilfully conveys the feel of each scenario, and he is occasionally the master of understatement: “…Nancy….looked worried. I guess being fifty miles from land in thousands of feet of water at night in stormy conditions being yanked through the water at nine knots by a bunch of incompetents while we had a crack in our hull somehow gave her cause for concern.” Vann illustrates in dramatic fashion how a dream combined with reliance on others and adverse weather events can quickly lead to a downfall. He turns the story of a failed venture into a gripping page-turner.

[Carmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there was ever a book to cure my boat lust and thirst for an ocean-going adventure...this might just be it. This is the antidote to all sea faring novels.

[Eric Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this read exceptional! Very straight to the point. It’s anecdotal tale of escaping death, chasing dreams, and unfortunately having to deal with reality, while mostly on a boat (butt there’s also some of that not on the boat). However as this is his story of becoming a boat owner and it’s harrowing trials, it made it that much more gripping for me. Nicholas cage phrased it perfectly in his lead role Lord of War, “There are two tragedies in life-not getting what you want, and getting it”. Though Van never asked for his hardships I find it true for almost all things we aspire for, such as sailing after one’s dreams. The philosophical debate of whether it’s to his destruction aside, the story is amazing in perseverance. Heck it even made me write my first review. 4 stars only because it was too short!

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the positive side the writing is clear and engaging. The author has written a number of stories, many of which have received strong praise. The current story, a true tale, was of interest to me as a longtime sailor with a deep interest in maritime history. However I found the author, clearly an experienced blue water sailor to be somewhat of a whiner who was quick to blame others and avoid his own responsibility in key situations throughout the story. Many bad decisions can be made when under time and money pressure and the author made quite a few when his new boat was being built and soon after launching when it began presenting serious steering and engine problems. In addition he did not take into consideration that his decisions were putting his shipmates and his guests and paying passengers lives in danger. To my mind he should stick to writing and leave the charter cruise business to more responsible individuals. By the way, I recommend this book as an example of how good people can make bad decisions.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one could ever accuse David Vann of giving up on things too easily. His account of what started off as a seemingly reasonable plan – to buy a boat and set up an educational charter tour business – describes how it turns into a disaster almost from the start. I’m amazed that no one ever said to him, as catastrophe followed catastrophe and he ran up quite remarkable amount of debt, “enough already”. Maybe there comes a point when it really is too late to turn back. Anyway, I found this a pretty compelling account, even if it seemed at times to be almost beyond belief. Very readable, and almost impossible to put down as you wait for the next bit of bad news, this is a book for boat-lovers and boat-haters alike.

[Lisa Nikolidakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this and couldn't put it down. Also, it makes me never want to get on a boat.

[Claudia Lady Circumference · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has always been David Vann’s dream to own a sailing boat and start a business of offering cruises while living on his yacht. Then, in a Turkish shipyard, he falls in love with a half-built boat.
This is the point where the reader shouts: “No! Don’t do it!” But the deal is struck and a variety of calamities ensue.
Parts of this gripping memoir read like a thriller with hair-raising business deals and nail-biting drama on the high seas. Despite not understanding all of the nautical details, I found it an enjoyable and suspenseful read.

[Kenneth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, in a way, but possibly only for readers of his fictional work (which, of course, tend to be profoundly auto-biographical). Maybe not too surprisingly, he does not come across as the most likeable character but the book offers useful insights into his other writing.

[Magpie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fair review
Absolutely love Vann’s writing, but this non fictional origin story just never soared. Unfinished

[John Malcovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

When buying a boat never judge her by the cover, notwithstanding that yachts are of feminine gender. And they are like ladies for sure. The devil is in details: some girls need mascara, and all boats need caulking; an average girl generally tries to nickel-and dime her boy-friend and the same is true of all yachts and boats; ladies are apt to show their mettle and boats make their owners to suffer from the same shortcoming; women are picky and finicky about their dress, whereas boats are normally critical and pernickety about types of wood they are decorated and trimmed with. The abyss between iroko and teak is more gaping than a watershed between Gucci and Louis Vuitton. When you see a terrific and gorgeous lady and make the acquaintance, there is still a probability that you will pick up the tabs on fifty/fifty or whatever basis. With a yacht there is a zero possibility of it. Boats never pay. And it would be a windfall if a yacht were paid off.
The book author just disdained and neglected the above-mentioned reasoning and resolutely dived into the boating and yachting business world. The world which first welcomed him cordially and warm-heartedly, and then sadistically accepted him only to regurgitate the nincompoop just a few months later. That shining world of lily-white yachts, turquoise ocean water and paradise islands proved to be bogus. Unreliable and dangerous like inner tubes inflated with a noxious gas.
The boat construction and adjustment is the business touchstone. The author actually is a university professor of creative writing. The world of shipbuilding swarming with hucksters, pitchmen and hawkers was for sure a sort of terra incognita to him. He could not surmise that those guy’s business was to swindle as much money as possible out of his good self. “Never make excuses about botched and late construction!” – that’s the people’s motto. They make maximum number of flaws and only Allah knows whether they do it unintentionally or on purpose. Such deficiencies as unfixed windlass or the hull not fared with epoxy paste could amount to the banal loss of seaworthiness. And that was the case. That was the start of David Vann’s grim story. The poor professor was tossed into the ocean together with his brand-new yacht, which was built full of flaws. And it could not bode anything good. When the storm broke out the control over the boat was lost. And thus we step into a Mirrorland or a mirror maze. And the benchmarks of morality turn to dust. The guy got into his first massive storm, lost control of the boat and had just to witness his yacht falling into pieces. He sent a distress call. He wanted his soul and boat to be saved by some magnanimous seamen. But alas - dots, dashes and spaces (Morse code) has nothing to do with saving someone’s soul. The rescuers came and instead of helping the man they started circling around like vultures waiting for the owner of a quasi-sinking boat to abandon it. In this case the owner ceases to be the owner and the rescuers are entitled to get their bounty share if they manage to tug the yacht to a port. Those were the rules of the sea-wolves world. If a captain stayed on board, no one could claim salvage rights, but if he left, the rescuer could claim the boat. Thus passes the glory of seafaring. Then, in the port (in author’s case it was Gibraltar) you have to pay for everything a very large lump of money starting from tugging, berthing and anchorage. Magically, the saving your soul proves to be an arrest. For your information, there is an outer wall of the Gibraltar harbor called Impound Island, which is where the larger arrested ships are kept. it was not rocket science to figure out that our man’s business went straight into the toilet. Everything went wrong. He could do nothing but take new loans and bog down in liens. Feeling like Oedipus, running and running and escaping nothing. Because you cannot outwit the system. The system was created to botch your business and squeeze last pennies out of your purse. And a picturesque image of a lily-white yacht on turquoise sea-water finally is completely ousted with the sand-castle image. The very same castle which got impassively munched by susurrating waves. The book author walked his mile in the shipowner boots and shared with us his thoughts and judgements about the predatory business. So, may the Lord save us from such troubles…

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

My apologies in advance to a handful of friends who are either hopelessly in love with sailing or in perpetual denial. There is an old saying that goes like this: the two happiest days in a boat owner's life are the day he buys a boat and the day he sells it. Fair enough. Perhaps the only exceptions to this (besides my aforementioned friends) are those rich enough to write huge checks to maintain a floating money pit. David Vann's book runs counter to this rule. It is like a maritime Book Of Job with enough misery, catastrophe and near death encounters to send anyone landward for good. His chartering business starts with grandiose visions. His descriptions of Mediterranean sunsets and jagged isles almost convinces you that these rare vistas might be worth all the trouble. Vann certainly thinks so along with a pool of gullible investors and supporters who keep loaning him money. Builders, contractors, shipyards, marinas, agents, inspectors, tax authorities, bureaucrats - everybody has it in for Vann at every turn - yet he keeps sailing. A near death encounter with a freak storm fails to dim his passion for sailing.
The best episodes in this book deak with the Man Against the Sea theme which are reminiscent of some of the seafaring novels of Jack London (Sea Wolf) and Joseph Conrad (Typhoon). The three stars might be somewhat miserly. Vann is a gifted storyteller but he walks on the dark side. Caribou Island, Legend of a Suicide and Dirt are depressing and nightmarish. The theme of his own father's suicide continues to haunt him at every turn. His novels are better reads. This true story restricts his literary license somewhat and leaves the reader wondering about Vann's masochistic obsession to sustain a hopeless business enterprise.
Anyone who is thinking about investing in a boat should read this book.

[Alumine Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the sea, sailing boats and the life of adventure, this book is definitely for you. BUT if you are not one of those people, reading this will certainly not make you one!!

This is Vann's account of a few years in his thirties when he endeavoured to be free of the trappings of life by buying a boat and running literary chartes in the Mediterranean and Caribbean Islands. The hull was bought and refurbished in Turkey...enough said. Everything that can go wrong does, and more. Vann asks his friend "when does it end?" and is told "it's a boat, it never ends."

What I really liked about the book was the commentary and reflection Vann puts in, about his situation and what he is discovering about himself as things unravel. Underlying all his experiences is the fact Vann's father committed suicide because he couldn't cope with the stress he was under. Vann constantly checks himself to see if he is going that way. It is a brave look at this issue and the fears that assail those who survive a parent's suicide.

A remarkable young man. I really like his fiction, which is better appreciated once this book is read.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who has limited nautical knowledge, I was able to gain a general understanding of the events depicted -- although I struggled at times to visualize them.

David Vann is an excellent writer; he has a keen storytelling ability. I enjoyed the writing more than I did the story, simply because I had a hard time sympathizing with his motives for building and rebuilding his yacht. There are some readers who will be more interested in the business side of the story, but I'm just not one of them.

All in all, it's a truly disastrous, and at times, triumphant story. His will power and determination are what make it worth the read.

[Sarah Shrubb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lordy lord. What an experience! Reading it is hard, but living it would have been, for me, completely impossible. The author has a doggedness and determination and willingness to work that I lack. This is really a story of everything that could possibly go wrong going wrong, but continuing nevertheless. He is clearly an extraordinary man, even if only in the sense of not being able (or perhaps willing) to read the writing on the wall, no matter how big the letters are. I admire him, but also want to yell at him! A terrific read if you have the stamina.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally, an adventure sailing book written by a writer. Vann wasn't the wisest sailor, but then there wouldn't have been the book, since nearly all sailing disasters start with very poor planning. I started this book at 10:30 at night and finished it four or five hours later in the wee hours of the morning. It was one of those kind of adventure stories. I haven't read one of those in a long time and it was a lot of fun.

[Kaleidoscopish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me because I like boats. It was a strong non-fiction narrative, a memoir without being weighed down by a lot of the naval-gazing and description that seems to define much contemporary memoir. The book did suffer from a lot of blaming of other people; in other words, I don't buy his complete lack of fault in every misfortune. But the journey is admirable, and it's well-written.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This poor David Vann was put thru the ringer and still found the silver lining despite all of his losses. Through it all he found himself which made the reading more enjoyable. I could relate to some of the obstacles he faced and found the book to be inspirational. David Vann faced great obstacles from an early age and never lost sight, nor stopped chasing his dreams.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had me on the edge of my seat, absolutely riveted in what would happen next. Not the book I was expecting. Although the title does give a hint, it was *way* more disastrous than I ever imagined. David Vann's thinking with respect to his father was very interesting. I'm glad David lived through this to tell the tale.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frustrating but entertaining good read. I read it over the course of 2 days. If you like adventure stories or stories of the sea this is a good one. The continued calamities are hard to believe, and incredible heartbreaking, but you won't put it down!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting memoir about a man who has terrible luck with boats and the sea but keeps on trying disaster after disaster.

[Worth · Rating 5 out of 5]

hard to put down, hard luck story with lots of good detail about a life of dreams always going wrong. I liked this, but found his fiction too predictable and selfulfilling.

[Phyllis Searles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just like his writing. This is my second Vann book. You can discuss lots of elements of this story, but it has to sit with me for a while...thinking about it for now.

[Anouk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exasperating, naive, funny and brave. Would love to know what sailors think of how he handled his atlantic crossings and Carribean journey.

[Melody Eads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good