Sailing Alone Around the World · Chapter
Chapter XV: The Arafura Sea and the Voyage to Keeling Cocos explained
Captain Slocum departs from Booby Island, crossing the Arafura Sea with its phosphorescent displays, and reflects on his past and the changing times.
What happens
Captain Slocum departs from Booby Island, crossing the Arafura Sea with its phosphorescent displays, and reflects on his past and the changing times. He stops at Thursday Island for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, witnessing a corroboree, then sails on toward Keeling Cocos, with a brief call at Cooktown where he helps raise funds for destitute miners.
Themes in this chapter
Adventure and Exploration
Slocum's voyage through the Arafura Sea and Torres Strait, with encounters with islands and native cultures, exemplifies the spirit of adventure.
Cultural Encounter and Observation
The corroboree at Thursday Island and observations of aboriginal people highlight cultural encounters.
Reflection and Philosophy
Slocum reflects on past voyages, the changing times, and the fate of letters left at Booby Island, showing a philosophical bent.
The Sea as Teacher
The sea's phosphorescence and the challenges of navigation teach Slocum about nature's beauty and dangers.
Characters to notice
- Spray
The sloop sails through the Arafura Sea, setting a spinnaker from a bamboo given by Mrs. Stevenson, and later anchors at Thursday Island and Cooktown.
- Captain Joshua Slocum
Navigates the Spray across the Arafura Sea, reflects on past voyages, participates in the jubilee at Thursday Island, and helps raise funds for miners at Cooktown.
- Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson
Her gift of bamboo from Samoa is used as a spinnaker pole on the Spray.
- Captain Jones
Captain of the Tarawa, encountered near Booby Island; noted as the only American aboard, though he never guessed.
- Mr. Jardine
Met at Booby Island with his wife; they chat with Slocum before he sails on.
- Mr. Douglas
Resident magistrate at Thursday Island, invites Slocum on a scientific cruise and gives him a flag as he departs.
- Judge Chester
Magistrate at Cooktown, leads the fundraising event for miners and is known for annexing New Guinea.
Key passages
“It is true that one may encounter heavy gales off the Cape of Good Hope at any season of the year, but in the summer they are less frequent and do not continue so long.”
While gales can happen any time near the Cape, they are less common and shorter in summer.
Slocum explains his preference for summer passage around the Cape.
“The sea, where the sloop disturbed it, seemed all ablaze, so that by its light I could see the smallest articles on deck, and her wake was a path of fire.”
The disturbed water glowed brightly, illuminating the deck and leaving a fiery trail behind.
Description of the phosphorescent effect in the Arafura Sea.
“The corroboree was, at any rate, a howling success.”
The corroboree was a great success, with loud and lively performances.
Slocum's humorous take on the native dance at Thursday Island.
