English (Core) · Ch 3 — We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together
Summary
Summary
- Context: A true first-person account by Gordon Cook and Alan East of a family's attempt (July 1976) to sail round the world in their boat Wavewalker, repeating Captain James Cook's voyage.
- The crew: The narrator (a 37-year-old businessman), his wife Mary, children Jonathan (6) and Suzanne (7), and two hired crewmen — Larry Vigil (American) and Herb Seigler (Swiss).
- The disaster: In the southern Indian Ocean, on January 2, a gigantic wave almost twice the height of the others smashes the boat. The narrator is hurled overboard and injured; the decks are wrecked and the boat begins to sink.
- The fight: Through a freezing night and several days, the family and crew pump, steer, send Mayday calls and make emergency repairs. Sue hides her serious head injury to avoid worrying her father.
- Children's courage: As a second storm nearly finishes them, Jon says they are not afraid to die if they can all be together, and Sue gives her father a loving hand-made card. …