Lone Voyager

"Joe Garland has done a magnificent job telling not only the story of Gloucester's most famous son, but also the story of the fishing industry in its hey day. A wonderful, beautifully written book". SEBASTIAN JUNGER, author of THE PERFECT STORM

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Lone Voyager is a fascinating story of sailing and adventure and a heart-felt celebration of a man who remains an iconic figure among all sailors who take to the sea alone. Howard Blackburn set sail from Gloucester Harbor in 1883 and, following the routine of legions of fishermen in the area, he and another man fished from a dory. But when a sudden squall erupted, they confronted a situation that was anything but routine. Alone in a small boat on the empty Atlantic, the two men battled freezing wind and rain. When his companion died, Blackburn rowed for 100 miles, finally reaching the Newfoundland coast. The horrific journey cost Blackburn all of his fingers, but could not kill his spirit. Despite his disability, he went on to break the record for the fastest lone voyage across the Atlantic. From the story of his epic survival to tales of his later adventures, Lone Voyager captures a man of rare courage and determination.