FOCUS POINTS
1.Anyone who wishes to
appreciate the story needs a working knowledge of sailing, ships
and the seas of the world.
2. We may find it
surprising to read how a family could risk the leisure, life, future etc for
the sake of a pastime. How
could one dream so intently for something that is not one’s
profession or livelihood,
may remain a fact beyond comprehension for at least a few. So
the lesson offers us an
opportunity to realize the differences in our oneness. It teaches us
about passion for what one
does.
3. The lack of knowledge
about the procedures followed and the equipment used could
steal the joy of
appreciating the story. So collecting information, online and offline,
about the grey areas is a
must to appreciate the story.
4. Once you are well
equipped with the required information, vocabulary items and
exposure to similar
situations, the chapter promises you a great experience.
5. How optimism and team
work had contributed to their survival is a point not to be
missed.
6. Another beauty of the
story lies in the nationality of the people involved in the adventure.
What does it suggest? Yes,
we are one, despite our geographical and many other
differences. Together we
can make the impossible happen.
7. Identify the genre of
writing
8. The lesson will make the
Navodayans appreciate the charm of their residential system
–
the oneness they enjoy despite the differences and the way they
stand up for one
another in times of crises,
big or small. We are all sailors in the same boat (or ship?),
students or teachers.
Storyline:
July 1976, Gordon Cook,
Mary, Jonathan 6, Suzanne 7 set sail from Plymouth England.
Wanted to duplicate 200 yrs
world voyage made by Captain James Cook.
For 16 yrs they honed
seafaring skills in British Waters
Wavewalker, 23 metre, 30
ton wooden-hulled beauty.
First leg-105000kms fr down
the west coast of Africa to Cape Town passed pleasantly.
Two crewmen hired before
heading east, American Larry Vigil & Swiss Herb Seigler to help tackle
world’s toughest seas, the southern Indian Ocean.
2nd day strong gales, Gales
didn’t worry but their alarming 15 mt. size.
Dec.25th 3500km east of cape
town, celebrated Christmas.
2nd January, gigantic waves,
dropped small storm jib to slow down the speed , attached lifelines, donned oilskins &
life jackets.
1st indication of imminent
disaster @6pm, ominous silence, wind dropped, sky grew dark, a growing roar, a
wave like an enormous cloud came perfectly vertical with frightful breaking
crest.
A tremendous explosion shook the deck,
a green & while torrent, head smashed into the wheel, accepted approaching
death, losing consciousness, felt quite peaceful.
Unexpectedly head popped out of water,
wavewalker near capsizing, mast horizontal, a wave hurled it upright, grabbed
the guard rails, subsequent waves tossed up in the Wavewalker like a doll of
rag, with blood filled mouth & broken teeth. Found wheel.
Mary appeared from front hatch screamed
we’re sinking!, decks smashed, full of water inside.
Mary
took over wheel, Larry and Herb pumping water like madmen, whole starboard
bulged inwards,
Cloths, crockery, charts, maps, tins
& toys sloshed in deep water.
Swam in children’s cabin asked “Are you
alright?” yes said they, Sue said but her head hurt a bit, pointing at a big
bump above her eyes.
Repair needed else sinking was sure
Managed to stretch canvass, secure
waterproof hatch covers across the gaping holes,
Hand pumps blocked by afloat debris,
electric pumps short-circuited, found to spare handpumps, forestay sail, jib,
dinghies & main anchor.
Remembered of another electric pump under
chartroom floor, thankfully it worked.
Night dragged on endless, bitterly
pumping, steering, working with radio. No replies to Mayday calls.
Sue with two black eyes, a deep cut on
her arm didn’t want to worry when they were trying to save them all.
3rd Jan. morning, pumps had
water level under control, took two hrs rest in rotation, tremendous leakage as
main rib were smashed down to the keel.
15 hrs survival, wavewalker couldn’t
hold together for long to reach Australia.
Maps and charts checked, spotted two
small islands a few 100 kms. To the east Ile Amsterdam- a French scientific
base, the only hope to reach these pinpricks in the vast ocean.
4th Jan, 36hrs continuous
pumping, reached last few centimeters of water,
hoisted the storm jib, Mary found some corned beef and cracker biscuits,
had first meal in almost two days.
But @4pm clouds began building up, wind
@40knots, seas getting higher, weather deteriorating, by 5th Jan
situation was desperate again.
Jon asked, “Daddy, are we going to
die?” but said, Daddy, we aren’t afraid of dying if we can all be together-
you, Mummy, Sue & I”.
Speechless but determined to fight the
sea, two 22 litre plastic barrels of paraffin.
6th Jan Morning, were
somewhere 150000 kms of ocean for a 65 kms wide island.
Sue joined, gave card , had caricatures
of Mary and Narrator with words , “ HERE ARE SOME FUNNY PEOPLE, DID THEY MAKE
YOU LAUGH?” inside was a message, “OH! HOW I LOVE YOU BOTH.SO THIS CARD IS TO
SAY THANK YOU AND LET’S HOPE FOR THE BEST”.
Rechecked calculations, main compass
was lost, estimate with influence of westerly currents flew through Indian
ocean in that part.
2 pm, went on deck, asked Larry to
steer 185 degrees, if lucky could see the island about 5pm.
Dozed off with heavy heart, woke up at
6pm felt must have missed the islands. But at the moment a tousled head appeared
by the bunk, “Can I have a Hug?” Jonathan asked.
“Because you are the best daddy in the
whole world-and the best captain” Jonathan said.
It’s out there in front of us, as big
as a battle field.
Rushed on deck, stark outline of Ile
Amsterdam, a bleak piece of volcanic rock with little vegetation-the most
beautiful island in the world.
Stayed for a night, all 28 inhabitants
of the island cheered them along,
Larry and Herb cheerful and optimistic
under the direst stress, Mary who stayed at the wheel at the crucial hours,
most of all- a 7 year old girl, who didn’t want to worry others, and a six-year
boy who was not afraid to die..
§ Sh. Arun Thakare
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