Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary motivation for the family's voyage?
What was the primary motivation for the family's voyage?
Which two crewmen joined the family for the journey after departing from Cape Town?
Which two crewmen joined the family for the journey after departing from Cape Town?
What was the family's reaction to the weather on New Year's Day?
What was the family's reaction to the weather on New Year's Day?
What was the size of the waves encountered by the family during their journey?
What was the size of the waves encountered by the family during their journey?
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What was the first indication of trouble on the ship on January 2?
What was the first indication of trouble on the ship on January 2?
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What event caused the narrator to feel like they might die?
What event caused the narrator to feel like they might die?
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What action did the narrator take after being thrown overboard?
What action did the narrator take after being thrown overboard?
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How did the narrator regain contact with the ship after being thrown overboard?
How did the narrator regain contact with the ship after being thrown overboard?
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What physical injuries did the narrator sustain during the incident?
What physical injuries did the narrator sustain during the incident?
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What was the narrator's primary focus after regaining awareness in the water?
What was the narrator's primary focus after regaining awareness in the water?
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Study Notes
Voyage Overview
- Set sail in July 1976 from Plymouth, England.
- Objective: Duplicate Captain James Cook's round-the-world voyage from 200 years prior.
- Crew consisted of the narrator, wife Mary, son Jonathan (6), daughter Suzanne (7), and later two crewmen, Larry Vigil and Herb Seigler.
Preparation for the Journey
- The narrator, a 37-year-old businessman, and Mary spent 16 years preparing for the voyage by developing seafaring skills in British waters.
- Their boat, Wavewalker, is a 23-meter-long, 30-ton wooden-hulled vessel, built professionally.
- Months were dedicated to fitting out and testing the boat in challenging conditions.
Voyage Details
- The first leg of the 105,000-kilometer journey went smoothly, sailing down the west coast of Africa to Cape Town.
- Crewmen Vigil and Seigler joined in Cape Town to help navigate the southern Indian Ocean.
Encountering Adverse Weather
- Strong gales began on the second day after leaving Cape Town, with continuous winds for several weeks.
- Waves reached alarming heights of up to 15 meters, equivalent to the height of the main mast.
- Celebrated Christmas (December 25) 3,500 kilometers east of Cape Town despite harsh weather conditions.
Turning Point of the Voyage
- On January 2, conditions worsened significantly, with gigantic waves and increased wind intensity.
- The ship's speed reached eight knots with just a small storm jib set.
- To ensure safety, the crew prepared by double-lashing equipment, conducting life-raft drills, and donning safety gear.
Disaster Strikes
- A sudden, ominous silence indicated impending danger; the wind dropped and the sky darkened.
- An enormous wave resembling a vertical wall appeared, towering over all others.
- The impact of the wave led to a massive explosion on deck, causing the narrator to be thrown overboard.
Survival Experience
- The narrator accepted the possibility of death but felt an unexpected sense of peace while sinking beneath the waves.
- Fortunately, he resurfaced, witnessing Wavewalker struggling to remain upright, her masts almost horizontal.
- A subsequent wave propelled the vessel upright, while the narrator was tossed violently on the deck, suffering injuries including cracked ribs and broken teeth.
- Managed to regain control of the wheel to navigate through the harrowing conditions.
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Description
Join this quiz to explore the remarkable journey of a family sailing to replicate Captain James Cook's voyage. Discover the experiences, challenges, and skills they honed over 16 years as they set sail from Plymouth, England. Whether you're an adventure seeker or interested in maritime history, this quiz offers insights into their epic journey.
