The Mariner · video

What this video covers

Chris Stanwell Major reads the first two chapters of *Sailing Alone Around the World* by Joshua Slocum, published in 1900, then adds personal commentary drawing on his own Nova Scotia connections.1:43 The reading covers Slocum's Nova Scotia upbringing on North Mountain near the Bay of Fundy, his early career before the mast and eventual command of the ship Northern Light, and the complete rebuild of the 37-foot sloop Spray at Fairhaven, Massachusetts — including hull planking, deck construction of 1.5-by-3-inch white pine on 6-by-6-inch yellow pine beams, caulking, and a thousand through-bolts.3:55 The narrative then follows Spray's departure from Boston on April 24, 1895, a stop at Gloucester for two weeks of provisioning (salt cod, anti-fouling copper paint, a halved dory as a tender, a fisherman's lantern), and the first night at sea alone on Cash's Ledge in 30 fathoms, fishing up cod, haddock, hake, and halibut before a storm forced a reef and a course change toward Monhegan Light.24:50 Slocum's visit to Briar Island, his childhood home, closes the video.28:21

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