# XVIII explained — Sailing Alone Around the World

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

## What happens

The Spray departs from South Africa, reflecting on the voyage and the Cape of Good Hope. After a pleasant stay at Cape Town, including a railway trip to the Transvaal and visits from Admiral Sir Harry Rawson, the Spray sets sail for St. Helena. The chapter describes the challenges of rounding the Cape, encounters with gales, and the joy of reading Stevenson's 'An Inland Voyage' while at sea. The chapter ends with the sighting of St. Helena.

## Themes in this chapter

### Reflection and Philosophy

Slocum reflects on the voyage, the vastness of the sea, and the joy of reading while sailing.

### Resilience and Perseverance

The chapter describes enduring gales and rough seas, showing the captain's determination to continue.

### The Sea as Teacher

The sea provides lessons in patience and adaptability, as Slocum navigates through calms and storms.

## Character check-ins

### Spray

The Spray is the vessel, described as being in order at the Alfred Docks and later sailing from South Africa.

### Captain Joshua Slocum

The captain and narrator, who reflects on the voyage, reads Stevenson, and navigates the Spray.

### Admiral Sir Harry Rawson

The admiral of the Royal Navy who visits the Spray and shows interest in her voyage.

### President Krüger

Mentioned in the chapter title, though not directly in the excerpts.

### Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson

Not directly mentioned, but Stevenson's book 'An Inland Voyage' is referenced.

## Key lines

> I have often been asked how it was that my vessel and all appurtenances were not stolen in the various ports where I left her for days together without a watchman in charge. This is just how it was: The Spray seldom fell among thieves.

Slocum explains that the Spray was rarely targeted by thieves, even when left unattended.

_Highlights the trust and safety found in many ports._

> One of the old circumnavigators (Sir Francis Drake, I think), when he first saw this magnificent pile, sang, ' ’Tis the fairest thing and the grandest cape I’ve seen in the whole circumference of the earth.'

Slocum recalls Sir Francis Drake's admiration for the Cape of Good Hope.

_Connects the voyage to historical exploration._

> I was now in the Spray and on the Oise in the Arethusa at one and the same time.

Slocum feels as if he is simultaneously sailing the Spray and reading about a journey on the Oise River.

_Illustrates the immersive power of reading while at sea._

## Links

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