Re: [Paddlewise] Wilderness: Isolation or Adventure?

Nick scriv:

>For those of you who are more than mildly interested in the effects of long
periods >of isolation in nature, look into the many first-hand accounts of
the dozen or so >single-handed sailors who took part in the _Sunday Times_
sponsored Golden Globe >race around the world, circa 1970(?).  [snip] >5,000
pounds sterling.  It was such a disaster that this race was never attempted
>again, to my knowledge.

There have been many solo around-the-world races since then, and they
continue to this day, under various names (usually a corporate sponsor's
name) (ex: the BOC Challenge).  There have been many, many successful
single-handed round the world sailing voyages.  Tania Aebi did it as a
teenager, and wrote (sort of) a very nice book called "Maiden Voyage."  Hal
Roth did at least one solo.  And how about Chichester?  Don Street?  And of
course there's the famous original solo sailor, Joshua Slocum.  And the
wonderful Tristan Jones, who, although it is conceded he "told a tall tail"
now and then, was nonetheless a great solo sailor.  Richard Hendersen wrote
a great book about singlehanded sailing, in which he listed a long list of
solo circumnavigators.

>Bernard Moitessier could have pulled it off, but after rounding the Horn he
was >terrified  to go back to the world of men, so sailed another half way
around the >world finally putting in at Tahiti out of necessity.

But Moitessier was a solo sailor for many years thereafter, and from what I
have read was highly regarded and well-liked in the cruising community.

>Another (whose name I don't
>recall) slowly went mad and apparently just stepped off the rear of his
trimaram; >his boat was found with his very weird logs undecipherable
(thought he was God or >something).

Crowhurst?

>Loick Fougeron committed suicide within months of his return.  Bill
>King never sailed again.  The winner, Robin Knox-Johnston, was examined by
a >psychiatrist after his return and was pronounced "distressingly normal".
Go >figure.

Chuckle.  Yeah.  I think that would be my diagnosis, too.

>Most of them didn't have radio, and those that did found them unreliable,
so
>most/all were out of contact of society for many months.  Moitessier's
account is >probably the most poetic, but at the end of his book _The Long
Way_ he gets very >weird and is writing letters to the Pope.  All accounts
are very interesting >reading and bizarre, even Knox-Johnstons, probably the
only one in the race who >came through it sane.
>
>I could probably work up a reading list if anyone is interested?

It would be fun to do.  One book that I have never managed to get through,
but which without a doubt is relevant to this discussion, and quite
interesting, is "Alone," by Richard Logan.  To give you an idea, some
chapters are: "Coping with Solitary Ordeals," "The Solitary Quest:
Lindbergh, Byrd and Chichester," and "The Psychological Effects of Prolonged
Solitary Ordeals."  Yikes.  I think it would be a solitary ordeal just to
manage to read the damn book <g>.

I really do agree that the stories of these and other solo sailors are
highly relevant to our discussion and very interesting reading.  Although
not a solo tail, I would like to mention that perhaps my favorite book of
all is Sterling Hayden's "Wanderer", recently reprinted (to my great
disappointment -- I collect older editions).  Yes, it is the actor.  He was
a great sailor before (and after) being an actor.  A wonderful book!
Unfortunately, Hayden (and separately the great schooner he owned) came to a
sad end.

There's also a fascinating video about one of the BOC races called "BOC
Knockdown" (focusing on a video segment where the boat does a complete 360
in the Southern Ocean).  One of the participants carried video equipment and
taped much of his experience.  One of the more interesting parts of the
video, in my view, is a section where he sets up the camera in the cabin at
night and literally cries, talking about how lonely and scared he is.  Very
"honest" stuff, if you can take it.  I periodically put the tape in while a
visitor is here, and I get some interesting reactions <g>.

So -- I've added nothing to this discussion (sorry), but just wanted to
comment on the sailing references - an area I have a little knowledge of, at
least.  I have thought about chiming in with some of my own thoughts here,
but . . . hey, I barely know you guys. :)

Anyway, this sure is interesting!

Mark L


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