Sailing Alone Around the World · Chapter
VII explained
The Spray departs Buenos Aires, faces a treacherous storm in the River Plate, and a massive wave that nearly swamps her.
What happens
The Spray departs Buenos Aires, faces a treacherous storm in the River Plate, and a massive wave that nearly swamps her. She then enters the Strait of Magellan, enduring gales and navigating through dangerous waters, with encounters with natives and observations of the desolate landscape.
Themes in this chapter
Man vs. Nature
The chapter vividly depicts the struggle against the sea, including a massive wave that nearly swamps the Spray and gales in the Strait of Magellan.
Resilience and Perseverance
Captain Slocum persists through storms and dangerous conditions, showing determination to continue the voyage.
The Sea as Teacher
The sea tests the Spray's seaworthiness and teaches the captain about his own resolve and the ship's capabilities.
Characters to notice
- Spray
The sloop is refitted and provisioned in Buenos Aires, then sails through the River Plate and into the Strait of Magellan, surviving a massive wave and gales.
- Captain Joshua Slocum
Sails the Spray through the River Plate and the Strait of Magellan, facing storms and making resolutions for the future.
- Captain Pedro Samblich
Mentioned as giving a gift of carpet-tacks to the captain.
- Captain Howard
Mentioned as the pilot who joined for the upriver sail.
- The Fuegians
Natives encountered in the Strait of Magellan, described as squalid and affected by 'firewater' trade.
Key passages
“The mountain of water submerged my vessel. She shook in every timber and reeled under the weight of the sea, but rose quickly out of it, and rode grandly over the rollers that followed.”
A huge wave completely covered the Spray, causing her to tremble, but she quickly recovered and rode over the following waves.
Describes the moment of being overwhelmed by a massive wave and the ship's recovery.
“I resolved then that I would anchor no more north of the Strait of Magellan.”
I decided that I would not anchor anywhere north of the Strait of Magellan again.
A resolution made after a miserable night at anchor in the River Plate.