Sailing Alone Around the World · Chapter
XXI: Clearing for Home explained
Captain Slocum clears from the U.S.
What happens
Captain Slocum clears from the U.S. consulate and sets sail for home, crossing the calm belt of the horse latitudes and enduring a series of gales. The jibstay breaks in a storm, but he manages to repair it. Off Fire Island, he encounters a violent tornado, after which he decides to make for Newport instead of New York. He navigates the mined harbor at Newport and finally anchors there on June 27, 1898, completing a voyage of over forty-six thousand miles. He then sails the Spray to Fairhaven, her birthplace, where he moors her safely.
Themes in this chapter
Resilience and Perseverance
Slocum endures multiple gales, a broken jibstay, and a tornado, repairing and continuing his voyage to the very end.
Craftsmanship and Seamanship
Slocum's skill in repairing the rigging and navigating through mined waters demonstrates his mastery of seamanship.
Reflection and Philosophy
As the voyage nears its end, Slocum reflects on the journey, comparing it to reading a book and contemplating the lessons learned.
The Sea as Teacher
Slocum acknowledges that his years of studying Neptune's laws were essential to his success, and the sea has taught him resilience and self-reliance.
Characters to notice
- Spray
The sloop endures multiple gales, a broken jibstay, and a tornado, yet remains sound and tight, arriving home in excellent condition.
- Captain Joshua Slocum
Reflects on the voyage's end, repairs the rigging, navigates the mined harbor, and feels rejuvenated, claiming to be ten years younger.
- Father Neptune
Tested Slocum severely when the mast stayed broke, but Slocum managed to climb and rig a new stay.
- Mr. Hunt
The U.S. consul who cleared the Spray and wrote a commentary on the voyage on the license.
Key passages
“The experiences of the voyage of the Spray, reaching over three years, had been to me like reading a book, and one that was more and more interesting as I turned the pages, till I had come now to the last page of all, and the one more interesting than any of the rest.”
Slocum compares his three-year voyage to reading a captivating book, and now he is on the most interesting page—the final one.
Reflects on the journey's end with a sense of fulfillment.
“The sea has been much maligned. To find one's way to lands already discovered is a good thing, and the Spray made the discovery that even the worst sea is not so terrible to a well-appointed ship.”
Slocum defends the sea, noting that with a good ship, even the worst conditions are manageable.
Highlights his respect for the sea and his confidence in the Spray.
“I had even gained flesh, and actually weighed a pound more than when I sailed from Boston. As for aging, why, the dial of my life was turned back till my friends all said, 'Slocum is young again.'”
Slocum notes that he gained weight and felt younger, with friends remarking that he seemed rejuvenated.
Emphasizes the physical and mental benefits of the voyage.