The Cruise of the Alerte · Chapter
Running Down the Trades explained
The chapter details the Alerte's voyage from St.
What happens
The chapter details the Alerte's voyage from St. Vincent to Bahia, including the recruitment of two West Indian sailors, the challenges of crossing the Atlantic with calms and squalls, and a stop at Teneriffe where the crew explores the island. The narrator reflects on the difficulties of the passage and the beauty of the Brazilian coast, culminating in their arrival at Bahia.
Themes in this chapter
Seamanship and Preparation
The chapter details the modification of sails, handling of the vessel in varying winds, and the strategic planning of the route.
Perseverance and Disappointment
The narrator endures calms, squalls, and a longer passage than expected, reflecting on the tedium and challenges of the voyage.
Adventure and Exploration
The journey across the Atlantic, visits to Teneriffe and Bahia, and encounters with local culture and scenery embody the spirit of exploration.
Characters to notice
- John Joseph Marshall
Shipped as cook at Porto Grande; a West Indian black who had been 'jumped' from a Yankee whaler.
- George Theodosius Spanner
Shipped as a hand before the mast at Porto Grande; also a victim of 'jumping' from a whaler.
- Mr. E. F. Knight
The narrator and author, who describes the voyage and decisions made along the way.
- The Alerte
The yacht making the voyage; modifications made to spinnaker and boom during the journey.
Key passages
“Jumping," I may explain, for the benefit of those who do not know the term, is the process by which an unprincipled skipper obtains a crew for nothing.”
The narrator defines 'jumping' as a dishonest method used by captains to get free labor by mistreating sailors until they desert, forfeiting their wages.
Explains a maritime abuse of the era.
“Under the impression that the log of a small vessel that had made this uncomfortable passage might be of interest to yachting men, I described this portion of the Falcon ’s voyage in my book with more minuteness than usual, with the result that one reviewer characterised the perusal of that particular chapter as being “like eating sawdust.””
The narrator notes that his detailed account of a previous voyage was criticized as boring, so he will spare readers excessive log entries this time.
Shows the author's self-awareness and intent to keep the narrative engaging.
“The ragged urchins of Santa Cruz are as like each other as so many John Chinamen; so, when our own particular boy was not by, some other would come to us with a welcoming smile and attempt to impersonate him.”
The local boys in Santa Cruz looked so similar that impostors would try to pass as the crew's favorite guide, who was distinguished by a brass button.
Describes a humorous cultural encounter.