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    We're Not AFraid To Die... NOTES

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    iamrushabhsheth

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    We're Not AFraid To Die... NOTES

    Uploaded by

    iamrushabhsheth
    21 views4 pages

    Original Title

    2. We're Not AFraid to Die...NOTES

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    Copyright:

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    21 views4 pages

    We're Not AFraid To Die... NOTES

    Uploaded by

    iamrushabhsheth

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    We Are Not Afraid to die.......

    Notes
    A narrative highlighting the sterling qualities that are seen in times of crisis.
    Q1 What preparations were made by the narrator before embarking on his
    adventurous voyage?
    Ans.1 The narrator had planned his voyage around the world meticulously .He
    and his wife had honed their seafaring skills for 16 years in British waters. Their
    boat was professionally-built and fitted out /equipped for any eventuality. Then
    they tested it in the roughest sea conditions near their home, two experienced
    crew members were hired to tackle any situation that might occur on the voyage
    Q2 Describe the Wavewalker.
    Ans 2 The Wavewalker was a 23metre, 30 ton wooden-hulled boat that had
    been professionally built. It had been equipped and fitted with all the amenities
    that would be required on a round -the -world voyage
    Q3 Who accompanied the narrator on his adventurous voyage?
    A3 The narrator's wife, Mary, his seven year old daughter, Suzanne and six year
    old son Jonathan set sail from England. At Cape Town, two crewmen, the
    American- Larry Vigil and, Herb Seigler from Switzerland, joined them on board.
    Q4 What were the injuries experienced by the narrator and his daughter?
    A4. When the enormous wave crashed into the Wavewalker, the narrator's
    head smashed into the wheel. He was thrown overboard and then flung back on
    deck with such force that his ribs on the left side cracked and his teeth were
    broken. Sue, had a bump above her eyes that soon became swollen alarmingly
    and a deep cut on her arm. She had to undergo six surgeries to remove the
    recurring blood clot from the injury
    Q5 What damage did the Wavewalker sustain in the Indian Ocean?
    Or/ Why was the narrator looking for Ile Amsterdam?
    Ans5 When the gigantic wave crashed into the Wavewalker, it almost capsized
    .The decks were smashed, the starboard side was bashed open and water had
    filled the boat putting them in danger of sinking. The main rib frames were
    smashed down to the keel leaving the starboard side unsupported. The main
    anchor, spare hand pumps, dinghies forestay sails and jib were wrenched
    overboard. The auxiliary engine had been rendered useless In these cons, if they
    couldn't find land to make repairs they would surely die So, the captain was
    looking for Ile Amsterdam a tiny island in the midst of the vast ocean.
    Q6 What qualities did the voyagers exhibit in times of crisis?
    Ans6 The children were only six and seven years old, yet they displayed a rare
    maturity when faced with danger. Sue, who was injured badly did not want to
    divert her father's attention from the more urgent need to make repairs and deal
    with the greater need to save everyone's life. This proves her selfless nature and
    stoicism which are rare in young children. Instead of seeking comfort from her
    parents she made a card with funny caricatures of them in order to relieve their
    stress. She expressed her strong faith in her father's abilities and boosted his
    morale. She made him redouble his efforts when he was losing hope.
    Young Jonathan's claim that he was not afraid to die as long as they were
    together has great impact on his father as well as the reader
    Mary was a supportive wife and worked tirelessly to steer the boat in the
    toughest conditions, showing remarkable courage.
    Herb and Larry tirelessly tended to their duties and were cheerful and optimistic
    under the direst stress
    The narrator is the most inspiring character. Despite severe injuries, he stoically
    and tenaciously continued to steer the boat. He was steadfast in every situation
    inspiring faith in others. His intrepid nature was balanced by his meticulous
    planning and strategising capabilities . He was able to improvise an alternative for
    the anchor using paraffin containers and chart a course using a compass that had
    not been corrected for magnetic variation. He was indefatigable/ tireless in his
    efforts to make repairs to the damaged boat with limited means.
    Q7. Answer the following with reference to context:
    1. At dawn on January 2, the waves were gigantic. We were sailing with only a
    small storm jib and were still making eight knots. As the ship rose to the top of
    each wave we could see endless enormous seas rolling towards us, and the
    screaming of the wind and spray was painful to the ears. To slow the boat down,
    we dropped the storm jib and lashed a heavy mooring rope in a loop across the
    stern. Then we double-lashed everything, went through our life-raft drill, attached
    lifelines, donned oilskins and life jackets — and waited.

    Q1. What does knot mean?


    Ans. Knot refers to a measure of the speed of a ship.

    Q2. Why did they drop the storm jib?


    Ans. They dropped the storm jib to slow down the speed of the boat.

    Q3. What does stern mean in the above extract?


    Ans. Stern means the back end of a ship or boat.

    Q4. Pick a word from the extract which means extremely big.
    Ans. Gigantic or enormous

    Q7 Can you make a log entry for the ship recording the various events after
    leaving Cape town
    (You need not write full sentences for this)
    Ans Dec 25: 3,500 km east of Cape Town, Strong Gales Waves rising to 15metres
    Jan 2 Gigantic waves, speed 8 knots
    Action taken: dropped the storm jib, lashed a mooring rope across stern,
    double lashed everything ,conducted life raft drill ,attached lifelines
    Severe damage: decks smashed, starboard side bashed in. Taking in water, broken
    timber and debris
    Jan3 water level sufficiently under control. Leak below waterline main rib frames
    smashed to keel auxiliary engine out of commission
    Jan 4 Hoisted storm jib water level under control
    Jan 5 In desperate state! Heaved to with improvised anchor of two 22 litre plastic
    containers of paraffin. Rode out storm
    Jan 6 Got reading on the sextant, calculated wind speed, changes of course drift
    and current and charted course for Ile Amsterdam our only hope
    2pm steering a course of 185degrees
    6pm Ile Amsterdam ahoy the most beautiful island in the world

    Glossary of nautical terms i.e. Words related to ships and sailing


    Aft -towards the rear of the boat
    Anchor- A plow shaped object designed to slow or prevent drifting of a ship
    Boom- a rod or spar to extend the jib sail
    Bow- the front of the boat
    Hull- part of boat seen above waterline
    Jib -Small triangular sail extending from the head of the foremast and
    attached to the bow
    Keel - the lowest part of the hull It provides stability to the boat
    Knots - unit of speed in sailing
    Sextant - A navigation instrument to measure a ship’s latitude

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