# Chapter XIII: Australia and Tasmania explained — Sailing Alone Around the World

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

## What happens

Captain Slocum arrives in Melbourne, Australia, where he exhibits a shark to pay port charges. He then sails to Tasmania, where he rests and explores while the Spray is cared for by local children. After visiting Sydney, he decides to sail via the Great Barrier Reef instead of Cape Leeuwin due to unfavorable winds and ice. He encounters various people and experiences, including a 'rain of blood' storm and a visit from a yacht club member who falls into a barrel.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hospitality and Human Connection

Slocum experiences kindness from locals, including children who care for the Spray and a yacht club member who visits despite rain.

### Adventure and Exploration

Slocum explores Tasmania's forests and streams, and prospects for gold, while also navigating the challenges of the sea.

### Resilience and Perseverance

Slocum adapts to unfavorable winds and ice by changing his route, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.

## Character check-ins

### Spray

The Spray is berthed at St. Kilda, Melbourne, and later at Launceston, Tasmania, where she is cared for by local children. She is also recognized as flagship of the Johnstone's Bay Flying Squadron in Sydney.

### Captain Joshua Slocum

Captain Slocum explores the shores of Tasmania, prospects for gold, and exhibits a shark to pay port charges. He decides to sail via the Great Barrier Reef due to unfavorable winds and ice.

### Tom Howard

An Irishman hired by Slocum to lecture about the shark on exhibition in Melbourne. He becomes over-enthusiastic and is eventually let go.

### Captain Young

Master of the whaling vessel Mary, who kills a humpback whale with a single harpoon thrust, impressing his crew.

### Mr. Jardine

Mentioned as a visitor who comes aboard the Spray during a rainstorm in Sydney, along with other gentlemen.

## Key lines

> The captain had told them that to kill a whale was no more than to kill a rabbit. They believed him, and that settled it.

The captain convinced his crew that whaling was as easy as hunting rabbits, and they trusted him completely.

_Highlights the crew's inexperience and the captain's persuasive confidence._

> I squared the matter by charging people sixpence each for coming on board, and when this business got dull I caught a shark and charged them sixpence each to look at that.

To cover the port charges, Slocum charged visitors to come aboard, and when that slowed, he caught a shark and charged them to see it.

_Shows Slocum's resourcefulness in dealing with unexpected expenses._

> The phenomena of dust-storms, well understood by scientists, are not uncommon on the coast of Africa.

Dust storms are a known scientific phenomenon and occur frequently off the African coast.

_Provides scientific context for the 'rain of blood' event._

## Links

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