Saturday, March 6, 2010
Indian Ocean Paradise Lost
By: William R.Sukala
MAURITIUS: PARADISE LOST
So there I was in the Mauritian capital of Port Louis. Our motley crew band of surfers left the cyber-cafe only to find the entire island besieged by rioters! It turns out a popular Mauritian-creole reggae singer was killed in jail by police and the people revolted, essentially turning certain regions of the island into full-on war zones! If you heard about it in the news, it is, indeed, all very true. Right before we left, all the shop owners were asking us where we were staying, warning us that "it is dangerous out there. You must be careful." I thought to myself, "what do you mean 'dangerous?' Why would they care where I was staying?" But as it turned out, they wanted to know so they could warn us about the riots. Of course, we were more interested in getting some photos of the scene. So there we were, three Americans and one Mauritian local cruising home, cameras in hand when, lo and behold, we saw the road blocks and riot police keeping order. Unfortunately, they had already finished overturning burned out cars and rock throwing. Before I go on, I guess I should offer a little insight into the social and political scene there.
SOCIAL PRESSURE COOKER
Mauritius is a religious and ethnic potpourri. You've got the Indians who comprise roughly 60% of the population with the remainder made up of Creole, Chinese, and Franco-Mauritians. The bulk of the government and police force is controlled by Indians in that they all elected their own into power. The Franco-Mauritians have most of the wealth, as they control most of the sugar industry and the like. The Chinese have quite a few shops and are, for the most part, very docile. The Creoles basically get the short end of the stick by all groups given their previous history as slaves, hence the root of the problem. There was a huge rally the previous weekend held in favor of legalization of marijuana. Some big reggae singer (a Creole) was jailed soon thereafter for possession and was beaten to death by police while in custody. This naturally didn't sit well with the people, so 30 years of capped tension exploded into the worst civil rioting in as many years.
While I don't condone rioting and looting, I am sympathetic to the Creoles. They really are a wonderful bunch of people, but seem the unfortunate and unwilling recipients of the short end of the social stick. I've only had positive experiences with them and could never understand why they were so vehemently persecuted! Maybe it's an Indian/Creole thing beyond my comprehension. It shouldn't be, but it is. Doesn't matter where you go, ignorance, racism, prejudice, and unfounded hatred are everywhere.
The morning of my flight, I heard from the locals that rioting was at a fever pitch. Most said not to go anywhere, but hey, I had a flight to South Africa to catch. Cruising along the local road out of Tamarin, I could feel the tension and believe me, it was palpable. No rioting or anything, but I was legitimately concerned we weren't going to make it to the highway. Somehow we did make it to the main highway and from there it was smooth sailing. If we would have taken the back way, we would have gone through a little town called Curepipe in which, as I heard, the rioting was quite heavy.
I thought my recent impaling on the reef with resultant torn left butt cheek and low back was bad until Julien lifted up his shirt. The poor kid looked like a cheese grater went over his back from just below his shoulder blades all the way down to his low back! He was dragged over the reef in the worst kind of way! It kept him out of the water for a few days, too. It's not difficult to get hurt at Tamarin. It is, spare none, one of the shallowest waves I've surfed. It's generally pretty shallow all over, but the thing that makes it all the more dangerous is the volume of coral heads that jut up all over the place. I was literally pulled off my board and under water when my leash wrapped around one just as a wave was approaching, quite literally pinning me underwater. I fortunately had the presence of mind to unfasten my leg-rope and swim to the surface. And to further illustrate the shallow depth, I was sitting all the way out in seemingly deep water waiting for set waves!
MAURITIUS: PARADISE LOST
So there I was in the Mauritian capital of Port Louis. Our motley crew band of surfers left the cyber-cafe only to find the entire island besieged by rioters! It turns out a popular Mauritian-creole reggae singer was killed in jail by police and the people revolted, essentially turning certain regions of the island into full-on war zones! If you heard about it in the news, it is, indeed, all very true. Right before we left, all the shop owners were asking us where we were staying, warning us that "it is dangerous out there. You must be careful." I thought to myself, "what do you mean 'dangerous?' Why would they care where I was staying?" But as it turned out, they wanted to know so they could warn us about the riots. Of course, we were more interested in getting some photos of the scene. So there we were, three Americans and one Mauritian local cruising home, cameras in hand when, lo and behold, we saw the road blocks and riot police keeping order. Unfortunately, they had already finished overturning burned out cars and rock throwing. Before I go on, I guess I should offer a little insight into the social and political scene there.
SOCIAL PRESSURE COOKER
Mauritius is a religious and ethnic potpourri. You've got the Indians who comprise roughly 60% of the population with the remainder made up of Creole, Chinese, and Franco-Mauritians. The bulk of the government and police force is controlled by Indians in that they all elected their own into power. The Franco-Mauritians have most of the wealth, as they control most of the sugar industry and the like. The Chinese have quite a few shops and are, for the most part, very docile. The Creoles basically get the short end of the stick by all groups given their previous history as slaves, hence the root of the problem. There was a huge rally the previous weekend held in favor of legalization of marijuana. Some big reggae singer (a Creole) was jailed soon thereafter for possession and was beaten to death by police while in custody. This naturally didn't sit well with the people, so 30 years of capped tension exploded into the worst civil rioting in as many years.
CREOLE BY ACCIDENT OF BIRTH
While I don't condone rioting and looting, I am sympathetic to the Creoles. They really are a wonderful bunch of people, but seem the unfortunate and unwilling recipients of the short end of the social stick. I've only had positive experiences with them and could never understand why they were so vehemently persecuted! Maybe it's an Indian/Creole thing beyond my comprehension. It shouldn't be, but it is. Doesn't matter where you go, ignorance, racism, prejudice, and unfounded hatred are everywhere.
SOUTH AFRICA OR BUST
MAURITIAN CHEESE GRATER
The World Needs to Harvest the Energy of Ocean Waves
By: Lance Winslow
We need to fund a prototype ocean wave harvesting energy generation station in the United States as part of the Alternative Energy Initiatives. Currently we are doing some terrific things with Clean Coal Technologies, Solar, Bio-waste, Ethanol and Wind Generation. However, we cannot rest on our laurels now, this is no time to let off the gas.
As our nation expands so will our energy needs and we need renewable and alternative energy research and development to meet those future needs. Perhaps the government funding might yield results from such an R and D investment and the prototypes and later units might even be able to run government installations, saving them a ton of money.
Surely if the United States does not take the lead other nations will. Consider all the nations with huge coastlines. The United States of America must not be out done when it comes to Alternative Energy future technologies. All nations now need to work to control their CO2 output and nothing is cleaner than ocean wave energy.
The Chinese need energy solutions as much as we do as they work to clean their air and they cannot build new systems Energy Generation Power Plants fast enough in their nation, meanwhile Shanghai, Beijing need the power now. But you know so does Taiwan and what about Japan and their floating airport? Recently an Online Think Tank studied the different designs and enjoyed the Fieldstone Design.
Now many are asking where are these new units and why are we not including them in our funding for Alternative Energy Initiatives? It is time now to move into the future and capture the energy, which has been around for Billions of years just waiting for us to harvest it.
We need to fund a prototype ocean wave harvesting energy generation station in the United States as part of the Alternative Energy Initiatives. Currently we are doing some terrific things with Clean Coal Technologies, Solar, Bio-waste, Ethanol and Wind Generation. However, we cannot rest on our laurels now, this is no time to let off the gas.
As our nation expands so will our energy needs and we need renewable and alternative energy research and development to meet those future needs. Perhaps the government funding might yield results from such an R and D investment and the prototypes and later units might even be able to run government installations, saving them a ton of money.
Surely if the United States does not take the lead other nations will. Consider all the nations with huge coastlines. The United States of America must not be out done when it comes to Alternative Energy future technologies. All nations now need to work to control their CO2 output and nothing is cleaner than ocean wave energy.
The Chinese need energy solutions as much as we do as they work to clean their air and they cannot build new systems Energy Generation Power Plants fast enough in their nation, meanwhile Shanghai, Beijing need the power now. But you know so does Taiwan and what about Japan and their floating airport? Recently an Online Think Tank studied the different designs and enjoyed the Fieldstone Design.
Now many are asking where are these new units and why are we not including them in our funding for Alternative Energy Initiatives? It is time now to move into the future and capture the energy, which has been around for Billions of years just waiting for us to harvest it.
Water And Sand Table Ideas Creating An Ocean Floor
By: Jennifer Dobson
Sand and water tables can be fun and educational as children can play in the water and manipulate the sand as well as other things with their hands. A sand and water activity center should be a changing, interesting place for students to explore sensory information and develop their gross and fine motor skills.
Creating an ocean floor is a great way to introduce students to new topics and keep them interested in earning. Invite your students to imagine an ocean floor and to think of some objects they might find there. You can even encourage them to think outside of the box a little bit and list some things you would not typically see at the bottom of the ocean like a car or horse.
Objects in the Ocean
The only thing that really puts a limitation on what kind of objects you can use in your sand & water table are your budget and your student's imaginations! Some pretty common sand and water toys you can use to create your ocean floor are a sunken ship, treasure chest, toy plants and fish, decorative rocks or minerals, sea shells, and toy boats.
After the objects have been added to the sand and water table, students can arrange them into different scenes, creating imaginary worlds under the surface of the water. Moving objects and fish through the water provides an opportunity to act out a story, to role play, and to engage in fantasy with their classmates. They can create individual ocean floor worlds or one big ocean floor that they create together.
Sensory Effects
The sound of waves lapping up against the shore is one of the most satisfying sounds of nature. Students at the sand and water table can mimic this sound by creating miniature waves, splashing water, making a shore with extra sand, and even building little sand castles to knock down with the waves. If you have a large seashell you could also set that out so the children can listen to the ocean in the shell. Often times allowing the children to run wet sand and water through their hands has a calming effect on them.
Another way for students to use their sense of touch at the sand & water table is by searching the sand for hidden objects. You can hide little rings or rocks or some type of treasure that they can find and take home with them.
Sand and water tables are very versatile and can be used for all kinds of activities and dynamic exploration. The ocean floor theme provides a delightful sensory experience for students. As they develop their motor skills they will have fun creating an imaginary ocean world and finding hidden treasures.
Sand and water tables can be fun and educational as children can play in the water and manipulate the sand as well as other things with their hands. A sand and water activity center should be a changing, interesting place for students to explore sensory information and develop their gross and fine motor skills.
Ocean Floor
Creating an ocean floor is a great way to introduce students to new topics and keep them interested in earning. Invite your students to imagine an ocean floor and to think of some objects they might find there. You can even encourage them to think outside of the box a little bit and list some things you would not typically see at the bottom of the ocean like a car or horse.
Objects in the Ocean
The only thing that really puts a limitation on what kind of objects you can use in your sand & water table are your budget and your student's imaginations! Some pretty common sand and water toys you can use to create your ocean floor are a sunken ship, treasure chest, toy plants and fish, decorative rocks or minerals, sea shells, and toy boats.
Playing With Sand and Water
After the objects have been added to the sand and water table, students can arrange them into different scenes, creating imaginary worlds under the surface of the water. Moving objects and fish through the water provides an opportunity to act out a story, to role play, and to engage in fantasy with their classmates. They can create individual ocean floor worlds or one big ocean floor that they create together.
Sensory Effects
The sound of waves lapping up against the shore is one of the most satisfying sounds of nature. Students at the sand and water table can mimic this sound by creating miniature waves, splashing water, making a shore with extra sand, and even building little sand castles to knock down with the waves. If you have a large seashell you could also set that out so the children can listen to the ocean in the shell. Often times allowing the children to run wet sand and water through their hands has a calming effect on them.
Another way for students to use their sense of touch at the sand & water table is by searching the sand for hidden objects. You can hide little rings or rocks or some type of treasure that they can find and take home with them.
Sand and water tables are very versatile and can be used for all kinds of activities and dynamic exploration. The ocean floor theme provides a delightful sensory experience for students. As they develop their motor skills they will have fun creating an imaginary ocean world and finding hidden treasures.
Seas and Oceans
By: Laura Klappenbach
Seas and oceans stretch from pole to pole and reach around the globe. They cover more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface and hold in excess of 300 million cubic miles of water. The world's oceans conceal a vast underwater landscape of submerged mountain ranges, continental shelves, and sprawling trenches.
Since the ocean habitat is so extensive, it may be broken down into several smaller subhabitats:
inshore waters - the shallowest areas of the oceans that line coastal areas, formed by continental shelves.
open sea - the vast deep waters of the oceans.
The open sea is a stratified subhabitat, with light fliltering down a mere 250 meters, creating a rich habitat where algea and planktonic animals thrive. This region of the open sea is referred to as the surface layer. The lower layers, the midwater, the abyssal zone, and the seabed, are shrouded in darkness.
Seas and oceans stretch from pole to pole and reach around the globe. They cover more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface and hold in excess of 300 million cubic miles of water (Luhr 2003). The world's oceans conceal a vast underwater landscape of submerged mountain ranges, continental shelves, and sprawling trenches.
The geologic features of the sea floor include mid-ocean ridge, hydrothermal vents, trenches and island chains, continental margin, abyssal plains, and submarine canyons. Mid-ocean ridges are the most extensive mountain chains on earth, spanning some 40,000 miles across the sea floor and running along divergent plate boundaries (where tectonic plate are moving away from one another as new sea floor is being churned out from the Earth's mantle).
Animals of Seas and Oceans:
Life on earth first evolved in the oceans and developed there for most of evolutionary history. It is only recently, geologically speaking, that life has emerged from the sea and flourished on land. The animal inhabitants of seas and oceans range in size from microscopic plankton to massive whales.
Seas and oceans stretch from pole to pole and reach around the globe. They cover more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface and hold in excess of 300 million cubic miles of water. The world's oceans conceal a vast underwater landscape of submerged mountain ranges, continental shelves, and sprawling trenches.
Since the ocean habitat is so extensive, it may be broken down into several smaller subhabitats:
inshore waters - the shallowest areas of the oceans that line coastal areas, formed by continental shelves.
open sea - the vast deep waters of the oceans.
The open sea is a stratified subhabitat, with light fliltering down a mere 250 meters, creating a rich habitat where algea and planktonic animals thrive. This region of the open sea is referred to as the surface layer. The lower layers, the midwater, the abyssal zone, and the seabed, are shrouded in darkness.
Seas and oceans stretch from pole to pole and reach around the globe. They cover more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface and hold in excess of 300 million cubic miles of water (Luhr 2003). The world's oceans conceal a vast underwater landscape of submerged mountain ranges, continental shelves, and sprawling trenches.
The geologic features of the sea floor include mid-ocean ridge, hydrothermal vents, trenches and island chains, continental margin, abyssal plains, and submarine canyons. Mid-ocean ridges are the most extensive mountain chains on earth, spanning some 40,000 miles across the sea floor and running along divergent plate boundaries (where tectonic plate are moving away from one another as new sea floor is being churned out from the Earth's mantle).
Animals of Seas and Oceans:
Life on earth first evolved in the oceans and developed there for most of evolutionary history. It is only recently, geologically speaking, that life has emerged from the sea and flourished on land. The animal inhabitants of seas and oceans range in size from microscopic plankton to massive whales.
The Pelagic Zone: the Open Ocean
By: Terrie Schultz
The organisms that make their home in the pelagic zone can be divide into three types, phytoplankton, zooplankton and nekton.
Phytoplankton- these primary producers are the basis of the ocean's food chain. Like plants, phytoplankton are autotrophs, able to produce their own food by photosynthesis, but they also require nutrients such as salts and minerals from ocean water. Some principle types of phytoplankton are cyanobacteria, diatoms and dinoflagellates.
Zooplankton- these animal-like plankton are heterotrophs, meaning they are unable to produce their own food. Zooplankton include protozoa, krill, and the larval stages of many crustaceans, worms, mollusks, fish and other marine animals. Zooplankton feed on phytoplankton
.
Nekton- organisms that are capable of freely swimming rather than drifting with the current are known as nekton. This category includes crustaceans, mollusks, fish and marine mammals and reptiles.
Layers of the Pelagic Zone
The pelagic zone is an enormous column of water that extends from the surface to the bottom of the world's oceans, away from the shore. It can be divided into several layers, which differ in amount of light, temperature, pressure and dissolved oxygen.
Epipelagic, or Sunlit Zone- this is the topmost layer of the pelagic zone, from the surface to a depth of about 200 meters (660 ft). It receives enough sunlight to support photosynthetic organisms such as seaweed and phytoplankton, and also has a high level of dissolved oxygen due to the action of the waves. The epipelagic zone is home to the majority of ocean life, including large predatory fish such as tuna and sharks, small forage fish such as herrings, sardines and anchovies, dolphins, whales and other marine mammals, sea turtles, and numerous other species.
Mesopelagic, or Twilight Zone- ranging from 200 to 1,000 meters (3,280 ft), the mesopelagic zone receives very little sunlight, and photosynthetic organisms cannot survive in this layer. The pressure increases and the temperature and dissolved oxygen levels continue to drop with increasing depth. The fish that live in the mesopelagic zone are predominantly small filter feeders such as lanternfish, and larger predator fish including sabertooth fish. The filter feeders make vertical migrations up to the epipelagic zone by night to feed on plankton, returning to the darkness by day to hide from predators.
Bathypelagic, or Midnight Zone- between 1,000 and 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) in depth, the bathypelagic zone is a region of total darkness, with a very low level of dissolved oxygen and nutrients, low temperature and extremely high pressure. Adaptations of the inhabitants of the bathypelagic zone include a slow metabolism, bioluminescence, and hinged jaws and distensible stomachs that allow them to swallow prey that is several times larger than they are.
Abyssopelagic, or Lower Midnight Zone- the abyssopelagic zone, extending down from a depth of 4,000 meters, is similar to the bathypelagic, but more extreme in terms of pressure
.
Hadropelagic Zone- taking its name from the Greek Hades, or underworld, the hadropelagic zone refers to the deep ocean trenches, some of which exceed 9,000 meters (30,000 ft) in depth, and have pressures of 16,000 psi. Average temperatures hover around freezing, with the exception of hydrothermal vents, where water heated by the magma of Earth's mantle boils out. Organisms of the hadropelagic zone are highly specialized and cannot survive if they are removed to shallower water with lower pressure.
Organisms of the Pelagic Zone
The organisms that make their home in the pelagic zone can be divide into three types, phytoplankton, zooplankton and nekton.
Phytoplankton- these primary producers are the basis of the ocean's food chain. Like plants, phytoplankton are autotrophs, able to produce their own food by photosynthesis, but they also require nutrients such as salts and minerals from ocean water. Some principle types of phytoplankton are cyanobacteria, diatoms and dinoflagellates.
Zooplankton- these animal-like plankton are heterotrophs, meaning they are unable to produce their own food. Zooplankton include protozoa, krill, and the larval stages of many crustaceans, worms, mollusks, fish and other marine animals. Zooplankton feed on phytoplankton
.
Nekton- organisms that are capable of freely swimming rather than drifting with the current are known as nekton. This category includes crustaceans, mollusks, fish and marine mammals and reptiles.
Layers of the Pelagic Zone
The pelagic zone is an enormous column of water that extends from the surface to the bottom of the world's oceans, away from the shore. It can be divided into several layers, which differ in amount of light, temperature, pressure and dissolved oxygen.
Epipelagic, or Sunlit Zone- this is the topmost layer of the pelagic zone, from the surface to a depth of about 200 meters (660 ft). It receives enough sunlight to support photosynthetic organisms such as seaweed and phytoplankton, and also has a high level of dissolved oxygen due to the action of the waves. The epipelagic zone is home to the majority of ocean life, including large predatory fish such as tuna and sharks, small forage fish such as herrings, sardines and anchovies, dolphins, whales and other marine mammals, sea turtles, and numerous other species.
Mesopelagic, or Twilight Zone- ranging from 200 to 1,000 meters (3,280 ft), the mesopelagic zone receives very little sunlight, and photosynthetic organisms cannot survive in this layer. The pressure increases and the temperature and dissolved oxygen levels continue to drop with increasing depth. The fish that live in the mesopelagic zone are predominantly small filter feeders such as lanternfish, and larger predator fish including sabertooth fish. The filter feeders make vertical migrations up to the epipelagic zone by night to feed on plankton, returning to the darkness by day to hide from predators.
Bathypelagic, or Midnight Zone- between 1,000 and 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) in depth, the bathypelagic zone is a region of total darkness, with a very low level of dissolved oxygen and nutrients, low temperature and extremely high pressure. Adaptations of the inhabitants of the bathypelagic zone include a slow metabolism, bioluminescence, and hinged jaws and distensible stomachs that allow them to swallow prey that is several times larger than they are.
Abyssopelagic, or Lower Midnight Zone- the abyssopelagic zone, extending down from a depth of 4,000 meters, is similar to the bathypelagic, but more extreme in terms of pressure
.
Hadropelagic Zone- taking its name from the Greek Hades, or underworld, the hadropelagic zone refers to the deep ocean trenches, some of which exceed 9,000 meters (30,000 ft) in depth, and have pressures of 16,000 psi. Average temperatures hover around freezing, with the exception of hydrothermal vents, where water heated by the magma of Earth's mantle boils out. Organisms of the hadropelagic zone are highly specialized and cannot survive if they are removed to shallower water with lower pressure.
Famous Ocean Explorers
By: Kelly Wheeler
The Portuguese have often been credited as some of history’s bravest explorers and the establishment of the Spice Route to India is to this country’s credit. What drove much exploration of the seas in the early years was a desire to gain the best access to the rich resource of spices in the East. In his quest to find such a route, Bartholomew Dias became the first European to navigate around the southern-most tip of Africa. It was Dias who first named the Cape the “Cape of Storms” and while the explorers did not make it all the way to the East on their 1488 journey, they have never been forgotten for their feat of being the first Europeans to sail around the tip of the African continent.
Vasco Da Gama was more successful in his quest to create the best Spice Route for the Portuguese and, in 1498, reached Calicut in India. The tales of his cruel treatment of the people living in the places along the route are chilling, but his victory was claiming the best Spice Route possible in the name of the Portuguese. This sea route was far less treacherous than heading overland through Asia and gave Portugal the ultimate advantage in trade in the 15th and 16th centuries
.
Christopher Columbus
By 1493, Italian Christopher Columbus was convinced that a quicker route could be found to the East by travelling west. What resulted was a discovery that changed the face of world geography forever. When he could not convince his own countrymen of his theory, Columbus moved to Spain and managed to convince the authorities to fund his expedition. He set sail in August 1492 and was in sight of the Bahamas within only ten weeks, which he mistakenly believed to be Japan. Further west when the voyagers reached Cuba, they were convinced they had found China and moved inland to “India”. The dark-skinned people they encountered were soon labelled “Indians” and Columbus returned to Europe victorious in his achievement of finding the quickest route to the riches of the East. Columbus returned to his East three times during the remainder of his life exploring Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Trinidad. He died believing he had found the shortest route to the East, never knowing that he had in fact discovered something much, much more important.
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan was not discouraged by the subsequent discovery of Columbus’ actual failure to find a westerly route to the East and set of in 1519 to prove that it could be done. Although from Portugal, Magellan undertook this journey with Spanish backing and set sail in 1519. The five ships in the party housed 260 men who had no idea where they were going as Magellan believed they would be too frightened too continue. A massive storm along the coast of South America forced the ships to seek cover and thus Magellan discovered an inlet – completely by accident. The Magellan Strait, as it is now known, offers a route through the South American continent to the Pacific Ocean on the other side.
With one ship deserting the voyage, Magellan and his four other ships suffered extreme hardships on the Pacific and only 18 of the 260 men made it back to Spain three years later. The journey went through the Philippines where Magellan himself was killed in battle and on to the East where the ships were loaded with spices. The Victoria continued west and made it back to Spain, while all of the other ships were lost at sea. The westerly spice route discovered by Magellan and his crew was not used for many years, thanks to the treacherous outcome it had for the many men on board. Instead of discovering a new Spice Route, Magellan is actually credited with captaining the first circumnavigation of our globe, a more impressive feat by miles.
Modern Ocean Explorers
Ocean exploration has never stopped since the great explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries, but has simply evolved to become more in depth, competitive and adventurous. By the beginning of the 20th century, most of the earth’s waters had been explored and ocean travels became more about setting records than discovering new places. The year was 1895 when American Joshua Slocum set out to become the first man to sail solo around the world. He sustained himself during the three year trip by stocking up on supplies from islands along the way and his safe return home in 1898 cemented his place in the history books.
The next person to better this record was Sir Francis Chichester in 1967 who managed an around the world feat that only required one stop in a year long trip aboard Gypsy Moth. It was a fellow Briton, Robin Knox-Johnston who, twelve years later, managed to finally circumnavigate the world without stopping – in a lightning fast 312 days. In 1988, Kat Cottee became the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world in an improved time of only 189 days. To date, the fastest solo trip every recorded to circumnavigate the globe occurred as recently as 2008. Francis Joyon, a 51 year old Frenchman, climbed aboard his 98ft fire-engine red trimaran Idec and reappeared around the world just 57 days later. This took a massive 14 days off the previous record which was held by the fastest female sailor in the history of yachting, Dame Ellen McArthur.
The Forerunners of Ocean Exploration
The Portuguese have often been credited as some of history’s bravest explorers and the establishment of the Spice Route to India is to this country’s credit. What drove much exploration of the seas in the early years was a desire to gain the best access to the rich resource of spices in the East. In his quest to find such a route, Bartholomew Dias became the first European to navigate around the southern-most tip of Africa. It was Dias who first named the Cape the “Cape of Storms” and while the explorers did not make it all the way to the East on their 1488 journey, they have never been forgotten for their feat of being the first Europeans to sail around the tip of the African continent.
Vasco Da Gama was more successful in his quest to create the best Spice Route for the Portuguese and, in 1498, reached Calicut in India. The tales of his cruel treatment of the people living in the places along the route are chilling, but his victory was claiming the best Spice Route possible in the name of the Portuguese. This sea route was far less treacherous than heading overland through Asia and gave Portugal the ultimate advantage in trade in the 15th and 16th centuries
.
Christopher Columbus
By 1493, Italian Christopher Columbus was convinced that a quicker route could be found to the East by travelling west. What resulted was a discovery that changed the face of world geography forever. When he could not convince his own countrymen of his theory, Columbus moved to Spain and managed to convince the authorities to fund his expedition. He set sail in August 1492 and was in sight of the Bahamas within only ten weeks, which he mistakenly believed to be Japan. Further west when the voyagers reached Cuba, they were convinced they had found China and moved inland to “India”. The dark-skinned people they encountered were soon labelled “Indians” and Columbus returned to Europe victorious in his achievement of finding the quickest route to the riches of the East. Columbus returned to his East three times during the remainder of his life exploring Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Trinidad. He died believing he had found the shortest route to the East, never knowing that he had in fact discovered something much, much more important.
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan was not discouraged by the subsequent discovery of Columbus’ actual failure to find a westerly route to the East and set of in 1519 to prove that it could be done. Although from Portugal, Magellan undertook this journey with Spanish backing and set sail in 1519. The five ships in the party housed 260 men who had no idea where they were going as Magellan believed they would be too frightened too continue. A massive storm along the coast of South America forced the ships to seek cover and thus Magellan discovered an inlet – completely by accident. The Magellan Strait, as it is now known, offers a route through the South American continent to the Pacific Ocean on the other side.
With one ship deserting the voyage, Magellan and his four other ships suffered extreme hardships on the Pacific and only 18 of the 260 men made it back to Spain three years later. The journey went through the Philippines where Magellan himself was killed in battle and on to the East where the ships were loaded with spices. The Victoria continued west and made it back to Spain, while all of the other ships were lost at sea. The westerly spice route discovered by Magellan and his crew was not used for many years, thanks to the treacherous outcome it had for the many men on board. Instead of discovering a new Spice Route, Magellan is actually credited with captaining the first circumnavigation of our globe, a more impressive feat by miles.
Modern Ocean Explorers
Ocean exploration has never stopped since the great explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries, but has simply evolved to become more in depth, competitive and adventurous. By the beginning of the 20th century, most of the earth’s waters had been explored and ocean travels became more about setting records than discovering new places. The year was 1895 when American Joshua Slocum set out to become the first man to sail solo around the world. He sustained himself during the three year trip by stocking up on supplies from islands along the way and his safe return home in 1898 cemented his place in the history books.
The next person to better this record was Sir Francis Chichester in 1967 who managed an around the world feat that only required one stop in a year long trip aboard Gypsy Moth. It was a fellow Briton, Robin Knox-Johnston who, twelve years later, managed to finally circumnavigate the world without stopping – in a lightning fast 312 days. In 1988, Kat Cottee became the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world in an improved time of only 189 days. To date, the fastest solo trip every recorded to circumnavigate the globe occurred as recently as 2008. Francis Joyon, a 51 year old Frenchman, climbed aboard his 98ft fire-engine red trimaran Idec and reappeared around the world just 57 days later. This took a massive 14 days off the previous record which was held by the fastest female sailor in the history of yachting, Dame Ellen McArthur.
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