Survive the Savage Sea (Sailing Classics) [Paperback]

Dougal Robertson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sailing Classics | Publication Date: January 25, 1994

After their 43-foot schooner was stove in by a pod of killer whales, the six members of the Robertson family spent 37 days adrift in the Pacific. With no maps, compass, or navigational instruments, and rations for only three days, they used every survival technique they could as they battled 20-foot waves, marauding sharks, thirst, starvation, and exhaustion.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...[a] well-written account....an unexpectedly personal view of a man's physical and a woman's emotional courage that, when bonded, produced the strength to survive. --Sailing, December 1996

From the Back Cover

"For stark excitement, marine natural history, practical lessons, and human love and stresses, few records, if any, of hazard and survival have ever bettered it." --Washington Post

"[The Robertsons] survived and their tale is a triumph of human resource and determination against terrible odds." --Cruising World

"Unique, fascinating, magnificent!" --Samuel Eliot Morison

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House (January 25, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0924486732
• ISBN-13: 978-0924486739
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding, August 24, 2002

By 

A. Tindell "ajtlawyer" (Richland, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Survive the Savage Sea (Sailing Classics) (Paperback)

This is one of the best survival adventure stories. The Robertsons are attempting a circumnavigation when their yacht is sunk by killer whales in the Pacific Ocean. With very few provisions, an inflatable raft (which later sinks) and a dinghy the Robertsons are able to survive 38 days on the ocean under extreme conditions.

Dougal Robertson's account of the adventure is gripping, at sometimes understated and brutally honest. Robertson was probably not an easy man to get along with but his indomitability, his command presence and force of will, coupled with his wife's emotional strength, got their family through. It is a tremendous story of leadership under the most extreme circumstances.

While looking up information on the Robertsons I was happy to find their own website, ... but was saddened to read that both Dougal and Lyn Robertson have since passed away. One of their twin sons however is preparing to embark on a round-the-world cruise with his own family soon.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful summary of survival and leadership, September 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Survive the Savage Sea (Sailing Classics) (Paperback)

Having read many survival and endurance books, I found this one exemplary. Written with quiet recollection - as only a log-keeping seaman could - he recounts both the inner and outer journey very well. I was appreciative of his honesty in the emotional shortcomings of himself and crew. You can imagine the difficulty of being so revealing of your own family in print! Without these insights, a reader would have been mislead about what it means to survive with others. I also listened to an unabridged book-on-tape, and the idea of a long story, well told, detail by detail was wonderful. For someone who has waited out storms on the sides of mountains, I appreciate long, detailed, unhurried stories. This is a wonderful book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent account, if little emotion, October 23, 2004

By 

K. Martin (Kissimmee, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Survive the Savage Sea (Sailing Classics) (Paperback)

The Robertson family's ordeal at sea would be unbelievable if it weren't true. It's hard to imagine a group of six people stranded for 37 days in a failing life raft and then a small dinghy. Robertson does an impeccable job of recounting details and procedures used in surviving the journey and his experience as a master seaman comes through clearly in the telling. There's barely a detial left out and the knowledge gained by his family's proactive struggle to save themselves has gone on to save others subsequently lost at sea.

The only aspect I felt wasn't thoroughly explored, save for a couple pages near the end, was the emotional side of the drama. Six people of varying ages, experience and personalities thrust together into unimaginable circumstances must have created more upheaval than was apparent in the story. Robertson's writing style (and, one gets the impression, his personality style), while perfect for describing the situation and its outcome, lacks a certain sensitivity to emotion and personal reflection.

That said, this book is a terrific read and makes one truly grateful for even the uncomfortable irritations of land and everyday life. The practical information learned and imparted, too, is fascinating, though one hopes after reading this book such information will never have to be personally applied.

Add this to your collection of castaway tales and you won't be disappointed. If you're looking for a more personal and introspective point of view, check out Steven Callahan's outstanding first-hand account, "Adrift." And for an even more technical and fascinating education about ships and the sea, try "The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger.