We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together

• Introduction

  • Author: Gordon Cook and Alan East
  • Genre: Real-life adventure, survival narrative
  • Objective: Replicate the historic round-the-world voyage of Captain James Cook (200 years later)

• The Voyage Begins

  • The Crew
    • Author (Skipper)
    • Mary (Wife)
    • Jonathan (Son, 6 years old)
    • Suzanne (Daughter, 7 years old)
    • Larry Vigil (American crewman - first leg)
    • Herb Seigler (Swiss crewman - first leg)
  • The Ship: Wavewalker - a 23-meter, 30-ton wooden-hulled impregnated boat
  • Phase 1: Plymouth, England to Cape Town, South Africa (Smooth sailing for 15,000 km)

• The Disaster Strikes (Southern Indian Ocean)

  • Preparation: Took on two crewmen at Cape Town; faced formidable southern Indian Ocean gales
  • December 25 (Christmas Day): Celebrated 3,500 km east of Cape Town despite atrocious weather
  • January 2: Giant waves hit; winds reached 15 knots and waves were alarmingly high
  • The Collision: A massive vertical wave struck Wavewalker
    • Author thrown across the deck
    • Severe injuries: broken ribs, black eye, teeth broken
    • Ship capsized almost horizontal; masts horizontal

• The Battle for Survival

  • Initial Response: Author regained control of the wheel, managed the booms and jib
  • Pumping Water: Mary and crewmen (Larry and Herb) pumped water frantically like madmen
  • Damages:
    • Starboard side smashed in
    • Wooden bulkheads broken
    • Debris floating everywhere
  • Children's Role:
    • Sue injured (bumping head, deep cut) but showed immense courage
    • Jonathan expressed iconic bravery: "We're not afraid to die if we can all be together"

• The Struggle Continues (Day 3 to Day 5)

  • Electrical System Failure: Hand pumps jammed with debris; auxiliary pump short-circuited
  • Navigation Challenge:
    • Spare hand pump saved the day
    • Sextant worked despite damaged instruments
    • Calculations based on direct dead reckoning and drift indicators
  • Target: Île Amsterdam (a French scientific base, 70 km wide island in vast ocean)

• The Climax and Rescue

  • January 6:
    • Weather eased slightly
    • Author rested for a few hours
    • Kids drew caricatures of parents ("funny anchors") expressing gratitude
  • Land Sighted:
    • Searched for the island unsuccessfully at first
    • Re-calculated and found the tiny island at 5 PM
  • Safety: Reached Île Amsterdam safely, thanked the inhabitants

• Key Themes & Takeaways

  • Optimism and Resilience: Power of positive attitude in extreme crisis
  • Family Unity: Collective strength and emotional support
  • Human Endurance: Overcoming seemingly insurmountable physical challenges through grit and teamwork