Name/Title
A World of My OwnEntry/Object ID
G420 .K6Description
On Friday, 14 June 1968, Suhaili, a tiny ketch, low in the water under the weight of her stores and looking strangely self-conscious with the bright orange vanes of her outrigged self steering gear, slipped quietly and almost unnoticed out of Falmouth harbour in Cornwall. His family and a few friends in a single launch waved goodbye to the solitary figure at Suhaili's helm; a modest, likeable, unknown, 29-year-old Merchant Navy Officer, Robin Knox-Johnston.
Ten and a half months later, on Tuesday 22 April 1969, Suhaili, paint-work peeling and rust-streaked, her once white sails weathered and brown, her self-steering gear gone, her tiller arm jury-rigged to the rudder head, came romping joyously back to Falmouth and to a fantastic reception for the laughing young Englishman who had become the first man to sail round the world non-stop, single-handed. In so doing, and in the manner of his doing it, he had won his way to the hearts of millions, and thoroughly deserved the subsequent award of the C.B.E.
By every standard it was an incredible adventure, perhaps the last great uncomputerized journey left to man, a feat of endeavour and seamanship which will be unsurpassed, unforgotten, as long as there are men to dare the sea. Every hazard, every temptation to abandon the astounding voyage came Robin's way: his water tanks were polluted, a storm put his radio out of action, his self-steering gear disintegrated and was jettisoned, his main boom collapsed, his tiller sheered off, the cabin top was smashed out of alignment, Suhaili sprang a leak which could only have been repaired by a man of unbelievable resource and determination - and all this even before the tiny ketch had fought her way to the waters of Cape Horn, the point of no return, the fearsome, terrifying test of any ship and any seaman's nerve and determination.
Throughout his fantastic voyage Robin kept a log and a diary, supplementing them with tapes which, if the worst came to the worst, he hoped might be found. WIth these to give him total recall of his record-breaking feat, Robin has written A World of My Own, a sparkling, uninhibited, inspiring account of himself, Suhaili, and the greatest sea adventure of our time.Collection
SailAcquisition
Source (if not Accessioned)
Ed & Val KattelOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Old NumberOther Number
2013.L.213Book Details
Author
Knox-Johnston, RobinDate Published
1969Binding
Binding Type
Hardcover or Case BoundCall No.
SLCCN
G420 .K6Location
Room
*Lou Smith LibraryBuilding
*Elizabeth & Bolling Haxall BuildingCopyright
Copyright Holder
Knox-Johnston, RobinCopyright Date
1969