A Speck on the Sea: Epic Voyages in the Most Improbable Vessels - Paperback

A Speck on the Sea: Epic Voyages in the Most Improbable Vessels - Paperback

SKU: 9780071440295
Categories : History
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Regular price$34.00

by William Longyard (Author)

"A gripping compendium of noteworthy small-boat voyages made over the centuries."

--John Harland, author of Seamanship in the Age of Sail

A Speck on the Sea chronicles the greatest ocean voyages attempted in the littlest boats. These feats include:

  • Diego Mendez's voyage to rescue Columbus
  • William Okeley's escape from slavery in a folding rowboat
  • Ernest Shackleton's death-cheating journeys
  • And more

Back Jacket

More than Seventy Accounts of Big Adventures in Small Boats

In A Speck on the Sea, William Longyard reaches back through five centuries to gather a collection of sea adventures in which the smallest, unlikeliest craft--and the daring individuals aboard them--completed extraordinary voyages against great odds.

From canoes and small sailboats to a pair of strap-to-your-feet pontoons, the watercraft in these true stories make nearly as varied a collection as the mariners who piloted them. The intrepid seafarers and their feats of seamanship include:

  • Ed Gillet's kite-powered transpacific kayak voyage
  • Gladys Gradely's 1902 quest to become the first woman to solo the Atlantic
  • Ben Lecomte's swim across an ocean for love
  • Hugo Vihlen's 1968 ocean crossing in the 6-foot sailboat April Fool
  • Peter Bird's tragic attempt to row across the Pacific
  • And scores more

Whether driven by desperation, adventure, or a desire for fame and fortune, the risktakers in these stories show what vast oceans can be crossed in tiny contrivances by those who dare.

"Great fun to read."--Cruising World

"Very few reference books make for such riveting reading."--Good Old Boat

"Re-creates these awe-inspiring adventures in fascinating detail."--NW Yachting

"Seagoing heroes and scalawags come alive with rich detail in Longyard's volume of salty tales."--Judy Blumhorst, Commodore Emeritus, Northern California Association of West Wight Potter Owners and Webmaster, www.trailersailer.com

William H. Longyard has spent twenty-five years paddling, rowing, and sailing small boats of all kinds. He has published several books and written numerous articles for boating journals.

Author Biography

William H. Longyard (Winston-Salem, NC) has paddled, rowed, and sailed small boats for 25 years. A high school English teacher, he has published several books and written articles for boating journals.

Number of Pages: 375
Dimensions: 0.98 x 9.04 x 6 IN
Illustrated: Yes
Publication Date: August 17, 2004
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Categories : History

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by William Longyard (Author)

"A gripping compendium of noteworthy small-boat voyages made over the centuries."

--John Harland, author of Seamanship in the Age of Sail

A Speck on the Sea chronicles the greatest ocean voyages attempted in the littlest boats. These feats include:

  • Diego Mendez's voyage to rescue Columbus
  • William Okeley's escape from slavery in a folding rowboat
  • Ernest Shackleton's death-cheating journeys
  • And more

Back Jacket

More than Seventy Accounts of Big Adventures in Small Boats

In A Speck on the Sea, William Longyard reaches back through five centuries to gather a collection of sea adventures in which the smallest, unlikeliest craft--and the daring individuals aboard them--completed extraordinary voyages against great odds.

From canoes and small sailboats to a pair of strap-to-your-feet pontoons, the watercraft in these true stories make nearly as varied a collection as the mariners who piloted them. The intrepid seafarers and their feats of seamanship include:

  • Ed Gillet's kite-powered transpacific kayak voyage
  • Gladys Gradely's 1902 quest to become the first woman to solo the Atlantic
  • Ben Lecomte's swim across an ocean for love
  • Hugo Vihlen's 1968 ocean crossing in the 6-foot sailboat April Fool
  • Peter Bird's tragic attempt to row across the Pacific
  • And scores more

Whether driven by desperation, adventure, or a desire for fame and fortune, the risktakers in these stories show what vast oceans can be crossed in tiny contrivances by those who dare.

"Great fun to read."--Cruising World

"Very few reference books make for such riveting reading."--Good Old Boat

"Re-creates these awe-inspiring adventures in fascinating detail."--NW Yachting

"Seagoing heroes and scalawags come alive with rich detail in Longyard's volume of salty tales."--Judy Blumhorst, Commodore Emeritus, Northern California Association of West Wight Potter Owners and Webmaster, www.trailersailer.com

William H. Longyard has spent twenty-five years paddling, rowing, and sailing small boats of all kinds. He has published several books and written numerous articles for boating journals.

Author Biography

William H. Longyard (Winston-Salem, NC) has paddled, rowed, and sailed small boats for 25 years. A high school English teacher, he has published several books and written articles for boating journals.

Number of Pages: 375
Dimensions: 0.98 x 9.04 x 6 IN
Illustrated: Yes
Publication Date: August 17, 2004

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We deliver your parcel within 2–3 working days. As soon as your package has left our warehouse, you will receive a confirmation by email. This confirmation contains a tracking number that you can use to find out where your package is.

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We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.

If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.

This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).

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