Imagine yourself Jonathan, the son of the narrator. Write a letter to your friend Matthew describing him how you ianded safely at lle Amsterdam after the stormy waves and gales had crippled your boat.
12 Picadally Circus
London
20 March, 2008
Dear Matthew
Sea attracts not only me but all the members of our family. My father had a long cherished dream of ‘duplicating’ the voyage undertaken by Captain James Cook about 200 years ago. A special boat Wavewalker was made for this mission. We set sail from Plymouth in England. Everything went on well till we reached Cape Town. Troubles started on the second day when we left Cape Town. Gigantic waves and gales lashed Wavewalker. The waves left nothing but ruin. The sails were lying flat. My father, the captain of the ship, tried to save it. He took urgent steps. He slowed down the speed and tied heavy ropes round the stern. Life-jackets and oilskins were donned. A torrent of green and white water broke over the boat. Wavewalker was near capsizing.
My daddy proved to be the best daddy in the whole world and also the best captain. His efforts bore fruit. By the morning of January 7, the boat was out of the storm. I was not afraid of dying if we all died together. But they say all is well that ends well. And it ended well for us. lie Amsterdam was sighted. We anchored off the shore that night. The next morning, all 28 inhabitants came to cheer us and help us ashore.
Yours sincerely
Jonathan
Whom did the narrator and his family want to duplicate and why?
Describe the behaviour of the narrator and his family, particularly of his children Jon and Sue, during the voyage.
Describe the steps taken by the captain and the crewmen to protect the boat from the storm and the gigantic waves. Were they successful?
Describe in brief how the voyage began in July 1976 from Plymouth, England and ended at a small island lle Amsterdam in the South Indian Ocean.
