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Questions and Answers
What was the destination of the voyage undertaken by the narrator's family?
How long had the narrator and his wife been preparing for their voyage?
What type of weather did the family experience on Christmas Day?
What was the size of the waves encountered by the narrator when they were 3,500 kilometers east of Cape Town?
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What event triggered the narrator's initial feeling of impending death?
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What precautionary measures did the crew take before the massive wave struck?
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What was happening to Wavewalker as the narrator emerged from the water?
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What unusual atmospheric condition was noted just before the impending disaster?
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What was the narrator's first realization about the abnormal wave they saw?
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What condition did the narrator find the children in?
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Who were the additional crew members that joined the narrator's family in Cape Town?
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What immediate action did the narrator take to prevent the ship from sinking?
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What happened to the equipment on the ship during the disaster?
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How did the narrator secure the gaps in the ship's hull?
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What hindered the function of the hand pumps on the ship?
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What was the narrator thankful for when connecting the new electric pump?
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Study Notes
The Voyage
- In 1976, a family set sail from Plymouth, England, to recreate Captain James Cook's round-the-world voyage.
- The family, consisting of a husband, wife, and two children, had spent years preparing for the journey.
- Their vessel, a 23-meter wooden-hulled boat named Wavewalker, was custom-built and tested extensively.
- The first leg of the voyage along the West Coast of Africa to Cape Town was relatively uneventful.
- The family took on two crew members in Cape Town to help them navigate the treacherous waters of the Southern Indian Ocean.
Storm Encountered
- After leaving Cape Town, the family encountered strong gales for several weeks.
- Waves reached heights of 15 meters, as high as the ship's main mast.
- The storm intensified on January 2nd, with enormous waves and wind speeds causing significant damage to the vessel.
The Disaster
- The ship was struck by a massive wave estimated to be twice the height of other waves.
- The wave’s impact caused significant damage resulting in the family being thrown about the deck.
- The family’s father and captain was thrown overboard, but managed to get back onto the ship.
Aftermath
- The ship took on water quickly, causing major damage to the cabins and decks.
- Pumps were damaged and debris started to clog the ship's drainage system.
- Life rafts, sail, and anchor went overboard.
- The captain managed to make repairs by stretching canvas and securing waterproof hatch covers, but the water continued to leak into the ship.
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Description
Explore the incredible journey of a family who attempted to recreate Captain James Cook's voyage. This quiz covers their departure from Plymouth, the challenges they faced, including storms and disasters, and the resilience required for such an expedition. Test your knowledge on maritime adventures and survival at sea.
