# Spray — Sailing Alone Around the World character guide > Spray in Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Spray, The Spray, Spray ahoy, the diminutive Spray **First appearance:** 0001-sailing-alone-around-the-world ## Snapshot A hundred-year-old oyster sloop rebuilt plank by plank into a nine-ton globetrotter, she carries one stubborn captain and out-sails every expert who swore she couldn't. ## Who they are Once propped up in a Fairhaven field at the end of her natural life, the Spray is reborn when Slocum adds inches of freeboard and teaches her to hold a course with the helm lashed. Her self-steering is the quiet miracle of the voyage: a vessel that keeps sailing while her captain sleeps, eats, or reads. She matters because the book's central wager — that a small, unfashionable craft can circle the world alone — rests entirely on her hull, her lines, and her temperament. ## Relationships ### [Admiral Bruce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/characters/admiral_bruce) _professional_ Admiral Bruce has a formal, professional interest in the Spray, possibly inspecting or overseeing its voyage. ### [Governor Roberts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/characters/governor_roberts) _professional_ Governor Roberts interacts with the Spray in an official capacity, likely welcoming or assisting the vessel. ### [Captain Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/characters/captain_howard) _professional_ Captain Howard has a professional engagement with the Spray, possibly as a pilot or harbor master. ### [Mr. Douglas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/characters/mr_douglas) _professional_ Mr. Douglas interacts with the Spray in a professional capacity, likely as a port official or supplier. ### [Captain Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/characters/captain_jones) _professional_ Captain Jones has a professional relationship with the Spray, possibly as a fellow mariner or dock official. ### [Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/characters/mrs_robert_louis_stevenson) _social_ Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson has a social connection to the Spray, possibly as a host or admirer of the voyage. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/dedication) The vessel whose return was prophesied. ### [Sailing Alone Around the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/sailing-alone-around-the-world) Slocum's trusted vessel, which he rebuilt and sailed single-handedly across the globe. ### [Chapter I: The Rebuilding of the Spray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/i) The old sloop that is rebuilt and launched, becoming the vessel for the voyage. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/ii) The sloop is overhauled and refitted for the voyage. ### [Goodbye to the American Coast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/iii) The sloop is prepared for the Atlantic crossing, with topmast sent down and lanyards hitched. She performs well, making eight knots and later sailing without the helmsman's aid. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/iv) The sloop Spray, under Slocum's command, endures squalls and heavy seas, proving her seaworthiness and speed. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/v) The sloop, sailed by Slocum, faces a pirate chase and heavy weather, proving her seaworthiness. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/vi) Stranded on the coast of Uruguay, refloated, and later refitted at Montevideo. Her mast and bowsprit are shortened in Buenos Aires. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/vii) The sloop is refitted and provisioned in Buenos Aires, then sails through the River Plate and into the Strait of Magellan, surviving a massive wave and gales. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/viii) The sloop endures the worst sea off Cape Horn, proving her seaworthiness and surviving the greatest adventure. ### [Repairing the Spray's Sails](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/ix) Repaired and loaded with tallow cargo. ### [Chapter X: Juan Fernandez and the Fuegian Arrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/x) The sloop is navigated through storm and calm, nearly capsized by a jibe, and safely anchored at Juan Fernandez. ### [Chapter XI: The Voyage Through the Trade-Winds and the Marquesas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xi) Sails unassisted through the trade-winds, holding her course true for a month without a binnacle light. ### [Seventy-two Days Without a Port](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xii) The sloop is anchored at Apia, Samoa, after a 72-day voyage. She is described as having 'odd wings' due to her Fuego mainsail. ### [Chapter XIII: Australia and Tasmania](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xiii) The Spray is berthed at St. Kilda, Melbourne, and later at Launceston, Tasmania, where she is cared for by local children. She is also recognized as flagship of the Johnstone's Bay Flying Squadron in Sydney. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xiv) Anchored at Beauty Point, saluted by the Jack at Devonport, and later sails through the Barrier Reef. ### [Chapter XV: The Arafura Sea and the Voyage to Keeling Cocos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xv) The sloop sails through the Arafura Sea, setting a spinnaker from a bamboo given by Mrs. Stevenson, and later anchors at Thursday Island and Cooktown. ### [Chapter XVI: Rodriguez and the Keeling Cocos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xvi) The sloop arrives at Rodriguez and Keeling Cocos, is refitted, and loaded with tridacna shells. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xvii) Refitted at Mauritius and sails through gales to Port Natal. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xviii) The Spray is the vessel, described as being in order at the Alfred Docks and later sailing from South Africa. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xix) Anchors at Jamestown, St. Helena, and later at Ascension Island; undergoes fumigation to prove single-handed voyage. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xx) The sloop navigates through the Caribbean, narrowly avoiding a phantom reef and arriving at various islands. ### [XXI: Clearing for Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/xxi) The sloop endures multiple gales, a broken jibstay, and a tornado, yet remains sound and tight, arriving home in excellent condition. ### [Appendix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/appendix) The vessel is described in detail, including her lines, dimensions, and sailing characteristics. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/endnotes) Reported as arriving at Keeling Cocos Islands, having sailed from Boston and traversed multiple oceans. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) The subject of the illustrations, including charts of her course and plans of her construction. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/characters/spray - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sailing_alone_around_the_world_se/characters