English text and questions The Adventure Itself (by StudySync)
1 The first man ever to make an epic solo journey around the world was Joshua Slocum. Like
circumnavigators before him, Slocum made maritime history with his courage and skill. He
differed from his predecessors, however, because his motive was not to discover new worlds
but to have an adventure. His memoir, Sailing Alone Around the World, is considered an
accessible narrative of this Herculean accomplishment even today. In painting with words,
his 1895-1898 odyssey of 46,000 miles, Slocum inspired later admirers to chase their calling.
Since his ship, Spray, was rebuilt from a rotting, ancient tub--a 36-foot, nine-inch oyster
sloop-Slocum proved that no great financial investment was required to explore the world.
He wrote, "Good work in the building of my vessel stood me always in good stead." In fact,
the sailor credited most of his success to his fine craft. About being driven toward Cape
Horn in a violent gale, he wrote, "Even while the storm raged at its worst, my ship was
wholesome and noble." As a tribute to Slocum, there have been more replicas' of Spray than
any other boat in history.
Aficionados? took such replicas on Boston Harbor, some sailors dressed like Slocum, during
the 100th anniversary of his circumnavigation'. One educator was inspired to "chase
Joshua" by planning an expedition on Slocum's route in a replica vessel and possibly
broadcasting lessons in math, science, and history worldwide. A custom yacht designer
analyzed Slocum's nearly 37-foot yawl* and was roused to design an improved Spray model.
Almost an eternity later, Slocum's spirit lives on into this century.
How many books written during the nineteenth century are still read with the fervor of
Slocum's travel narrative? Quite simply, Sailing Alone Around the World Keeps gaining
readers because it's entertaining, even hair-raising! Slocum recalls an age gone by and cultures that have all but disappeared. He chronicles fly-fishing for breakfast in the Pacific,
receiving Samoan hospitality, and trading biscuits for butter and milk with a boy in Uruguay,
as well as being chased by pirates off Gibraltar.
5 Bravery was as natural to him as curiosity, and he had respect for the ocean, stating, "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." Even so, Slocum's success was likely due not to his ship, for Spray
could easily capsize, say modern small-sailing-craft experts. Rather, they believe that Slocum
was able and resourceful, continually proving he could manage all weather and situations.
To become one of the greatest sailors of the nineteenth century, Slocum explains that he
"studied with diligence Neptune's laws."
6 As further proof of Slocum's mastery, he had no modern technology~no radar, no radio, no
GPS system -just some dinosauric supplies: "carpenters' tools, a tin clock, and some
carpet-tacks."
7 Photos of a weathered Slocum add to his legend, for to see him is to smell the salt air and
hear the ocean waves crashing. Regrettably, Slocum set sail one last time, in 1909, only to
disappear into oblivion forever, lost at sea. Questions below in pictures just move around the Answers in the box to what you think is correct those are my answers