# VII explained — Sailing Alone Around the World

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/vii
- 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