The Cruise of the Alerte · Chapter
Our First Voyage explained
The narrator describes the hurried final preparations for the expedition in Southampton, including farewell dinners, last-minute crew changes, and the departure of the Alerte.
What happens
The narrator describes the hurried final preparations for the expedition in Southampton, including farewell dinners, last-minute crew changes, and the departure of the Alerte. After a false start and a brief stop at Cowes for repairs, the yacht finally sets sail. The chapter also recounts the voyage to the Salvages, where the crew encounters a mysterious schooner and a group of men landing heavy barrels on a desert island, sparking fantasies of pirates and hidden treasure.
Themes in this chapter
Adventure and Exploration
The chapter captures the excitement and uncertainty of setting out on a voyage to a remote island in search of treasure.
The Allure of Treasure
The crew's fantasies about pirates and hidden treasure, and their discussions on spending the booty, highlight the powerful lure of wealth.
Danger and Risk
The narrator notes the hazardous anchorage, dangerous shoals, and the risk of sudden storms, emphasizing the perils of the voyage.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
The narrator organizes the expedition, deals with last-minute crew changes, and leads the voyage to the Salvages.
- The Alerte
The yacht is fitted out and departs from Southampton, later anchoring at Calshot and Cowes before setting sail.
- Mr. Picket
Mr. Picket takes a holiday to see the crew off and later sends a sloop with friends to bid farewell.
- Mr. E. F. Knight
The author and narrator of the expedition, referred to as 'I' throughout the chapter.
Key passages
“We had sanguine men on board whom no failure disheartened, despite their invariable habit of counting their chickens before they were hatched; so I was not surprised to be now asked by the sportsman of our party how long I thought it would take us to get back to England.”
The crew were optimists who never let setbacks discourage them, even though they always assumed success before it happened; so the narrator was unfazed when one of them asked how soon they could return to England.
Illustrates the crew's overconfidence and the narrator's wry observation of their character.
“It was just such a scene as Salvator Rosa would have delighted to paint, it would have suited the savage austerity of his style.”
The rugged cove and wild-looking men reminded the narrator of a painting by the Baroque artist Salvator Rosa, known for his dramatic and wild landscapes.
The narrator uses an artistic reference to evoke the dramatic and mysterious atmosphere of the scene.
“Perhaps we have just arrived at the right moment to interrupt another band of pirates in the act of hiding another immense treasure.”
One crew member jokingly suggests they have stumbled upon pirates burying treasure, which would save them the trouble of digging.
Highlights the crew's playful and treasure-obsessed mindset.