# Goodbye to the American Coast explained — Sailing Alone Around the World

> Chapter companion for Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum.

## What happens

Slocum departs from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, on July 2, 1895, beginning his solo Atlantic crossing. He navigates through fog, encounters a full moon that becomes a companion, and battles loneliness. He meets the barkantine La Vaguisa, whose captain sends a bottle of wine. After eighteen days, he arrives at Fayal in the Azores, where he enjoys the hospitality of the islanders and reflects on their kindness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Solitude and Self-Reliance

Slocum experiences profound loneliness and combats it by singing and talking to the moon, relying on his own resources.

### Adventure and Exploration

The chapter marks the beginning of the solo Atlantic voyage, with encounters with other ships and the Azores.

### Hospitality and Human Connection

The kindness of the Azorean islanders, including a host who drives Slocum around and shares a meal, highlights human warmth.

### The Sea as Teacher

The sea challenges Slocum with fog and gales, teaching him self-reliance and resilience.

## Character check-ins

### Spray

The sloop is prepared for the Atlantic crossing, with topmast sent down and lanyards hitched. She performs well, making eight knots and later sailing without the helmsman's aid.

### Captain Joshua Slocum

Departs from Yarmouth, experiences loneliness and uses singing to cope. He interacts with the man in the moon and meets the captain of La Vaguisa.

### Captain Juan Gantes

Captain of La Vaguisa, sends a bottle of wine to Slocum and crosses himself upon learning Slocum is alone.

### Antonio

A native of the Azores who serves as interpreter for a damsel and expresses a desire to sail to America to meet John Wilson.

### John Wilson

Mentioned by Antonio as a friend in Boston, with one daughter and one son.

## Key lines

> I now stowed all my goods securely, for the boisterous Atlantic was before me, and I sent the topmast down, knowing that the Spray would be the wholesomer with it on deck.

I secured all my belongings and lowered the topmast to make the Spray safer for the rough Atlantic crossing.

_Preparation for the voyage._

> The fog, which till this moment had held off, now lowered over the sea like a pall. I was in a world of fog, shut off from the universe.

The fog descended like a shroud, isolating me from the rest of the world.

_Description of the fog's intensity._

> Many a long talk since then I have had with the man in the moon; he had my confidence on the voyage.

I often conversed with the moon, which became a trusted companion during the journey.

_Slocum's imaginative companionship._

> The loneliness of my state wore off when the gale was high and I found much work to do. When fine weather returned, then came the sense of solitude, which I could not shake off.

During storms, I was too busy to feel lonely, but in calm weather, the solitude was overwhelming.

_The ebb and flow of loneliness._

> Islanders are always the kindest people in the world, and I met none anywhere kinder than the good hearts of this place.

The islanders of the Azores were the most hospitable people I encountered anywhere.

_Praise for the Azorean people._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters