The Solitary Slocum

Publisher: Nimbus, 1992 $

The French Canadian author describes “The Solitary Slocum” as “an apocryphal autobiography - reconstructed from pieces of a puzzle in the attic of out hero’s legend”. Do first read, or read again, “Sailing Alone”. The facsimile edition by Dover has a concise biography; this portrayal digs much deeper.

Slocum was a self-taught professional, setting himself the highest standards of seamanship, which is why there is little mention of his complicated personal life in his breezy, dry-humoured classic. He was also a self-schooled, but accredited, writer; another reason his epic voyage reads so well - he knew what to leave out. He recorded his feelings, and numerous sexual encounters, separately from his log. Joshua avoided rum and whores but he had a way with the beauties of all races!

Very conceited and not much loved by his peers, Slocum detested the new steamers. With his livelihood and family home, the “Aquidneck”, set on to a sandbank and lost, he became destitute and almost unemployable. He then rebuilt his life (and “Spray”), before departing alone around the world to reconstruct hi reputation and finances. He was also escaping an impetuous second marriage, having become seriously involved with - but not sure of - the third woman in his life. With the proceeds of his book he retired to Martha’s Vineyard. But jolted by an article saying he would never sail again, and with his third relationship going stale, Josh departed, in his neglected “Spray” on his final voyage. - GS

Page prepared 18 May 1999