Sailing Alone Around the World · Chapter
Seventy-two Days Without a Port explained
Captain Slocum recounts his long, solitary voyage from Juan Fernandez to Samoa, a passage of seventy-two days without touching port.
What happens
Captain Slocum recounts his long, solitary voyage from Juan Fernandez to Samoa, a passage of seventy-two days without touching port. He describes encounters with whales and sharks, his simple diet of potatoes, cod, and flying fish, and the loss of his potato supply to a deceptive trader. Upon arriving at Apia, he is welcomed by the Samoan people and receives a visit from Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson, who gifts him with her late husband's sailing directories. The chapter also includes a humorous anecdote about being 'arrested' for fast riding and a delightful encounter with young women who paddle his canoe around the Spray.
Themes in this chapter
Solitude and Self-Reliance
Captain Slocum spends 72 days alone at sea, relying on his own skills and provisions. He finds companionship in the natural world, stating 'There was no end of companionship; the very coral reefs kept me company.'
Hospitality and Human Connection
The chapter is rich with examples of Samoan hospitality, from the singing canoeists to the invitation to dine at the consulate. The visit from Mrs. Stevenson and the gift of her husband's books highlight a deep connection between fellow travelers and admirers.
Characters to notice
- Spray
The sloop is anchored at Apia, Samoa, after a 72-day voyage. She is described as having 'odd wings' due to her Fuego mainsail.
- Captain Joshua Slocum
The captain narrates his solitary journey, his diet, and his interactions with people in Samoa. He is thrilled to meet Mrs. Stevenson and receives her husband's sailing directories.
- Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson
She visits the Spray and invites Captain Slocum to Vailima. She gifts him with four volumes of sailing directories, writing a personal inscription in the first one.
- Manuel Carroza
A Yankee Portuguese trader at Juan Fernandez who tricked Captain Slocum into trading his good potatoes for ones that turned out to be rotten and full of moths.
- Mr. Trood
An old Eton boy who came to visit the Spray in Apia, ferried by a young woman in a canoe. He exclaims, 'Was ever king ferried in such state?'
Key passages
“To be alone forty-three days would seem a long time, but in reality, even here, winged moments flew lightly by, and instead of my hauling in for Nukahiva, which I could have made as well as not, I kept on for Samoa, where I wished to make my next landing.”
Although being alone for forty-three days might sound lengthy, the time passed quickly, and rather than stopping at Nukahiva, I continued on to Samoa, my intended next destination.
This captures the captain's perspective on solitude and the passage of time during his long voyage.
“I own to a satisfaction in shooting them as one would a tiger. Sharks, after all, are the tigers of the sea.”
I admit to feeling a sense of satisfaction when shooting sharks, as they are the tigers of the ocean.
This reflects the captain's view of sharks as dangerous predators to be dealt with.
“One of the sprites, I remember, was a young English lady, who made more sport of it than any of the others.”
I recall that one of the lively young women, an English lady, enjoyed the playful situation more than the rest.
This describes the playful encounter with the young women who towed his canoe.