In Darwin's Wake: Revisiting Beagle's South American Anchorages

by John Campbell

Overview

While planning a cruise on Thalassi, an 83-foot ketch, along the South American coast and around Cape Horn, skipper John Campbell realized that his route would closely follow that taken by Charles Darwin on his historic journey aboard the Beagle. Thus was born a plan to compare the reality of those same places today with the descriptions and observations made by Darwin over 150 years earlier.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781574090253
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/25/1997
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

Editorial Reviews

Campbell follows the wake of the square-rigger BEAGLE and its most famous passenger, naturalist Charles Darwin. Sailing on his 83-foot ketch, Campbell covers the same ground off the South American Coast as Darwin, finding some things changed and some of the same. A personal reflection, the book is also a practical cruising guide to a challenging sailing region.

Soundings: An Interdisciplinary Journal

Sailing around Cape Horn, the island at the tip of South America is one of the pinnacles of the sailing life. The weather in those southern latitudes can be fierce and unpredictable and the long voyage into remote areas, which was once a major route for shipping, is undertaken by few today. When John Campbell and his wife Lana signed on as captain and first mate aboard the 83 foot yacht THALASSI, the owner had planned a circumnavigation of South America. The Campbells realized that they would be retracing much of the route followed by the BEAGLE on the voyage which was made famous by Charles Darwin. The opportunity to compare Darwin's observations and description from 150 years earlier was undeniable, and this book is the result. The book is well written and has many good photos. The places visited and the details of the voyage are at times fascinating. Its merit lies in the vicarious experience of such a voyage that few of us will even have the opportunity to make or even want to undertake.

Coastal Cruising

Campbell follows the wake of the square-rigger BEAGLE and its most famous passenger, naturalist Charles Darwin. Sailing on his 83-foot ketch, Campbell covers the same ground off the South American Coast as Darwin, finding some things changed and some of the same. A personal reflection, the book is also a practical cruising guide to a challenging sailing region.

Soundings: An Interdisciplinary Journal

Campbell and his wife, Lana, signed on as skipper and cook for a circumnavigation of South America on Thalassi, an 83-foot luxury ketch. The owner ("Boss") joined the yacht at specified times; otherwise, the Campbells and crew of three were free to cruise where they wished. Campbell realized that Thalassi's route would parallel that of Charles Darwin and Beagle 150 years before, and decided to follow the earlier expedition as closely as possible. Sailing from southern Spain in September, Thalassi explored Brazil's offshore islands and reached Rio in time for the holidays. Repairs to the 100-foot mast delayed the cruise there until January 17. The author then sailed to the Falkland Islands, where the Boss came aboard for a 24-day voyage to Cape Horn (he insisted on rounding it twice), the Beagle Channel and Punta Arenas. From there, Thalassi worked her way up the Chilean coast through narrow, twisty channels. Campbell, creating an engaging tale of adventure, alternates his story with Darwin's account of his travels. Sailors, armchair travelers and readers interested in history will enjoy this book. Photos. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly