Confined in a small space for months on end, subject to ship's discipline and living on limited food supplies, many sailors of old lost their minds--and no wonder. Many still do.
The result in some instances was bloodthirsty mutinies, such as the whaleboat Sharon whose captain was butchered and fed to the ship's pigs in a crazed attack in the Pacific. Or mob violence, such as the 147 survivors on the raft of the Medusa, who slaughtered each other in a two-week orgy of violence. So serious was the problem that the Royal Navy's own physician claimed sailors were seven times more likely to go mad than the rest of the population.
Historic figures such as Christopher Columbus, George Vancouver, Fletcher Christian (leader of the munity of the Bounty), and Robert FitzRoy (founder of the Met Office) have all had their sanity questioned.
More recently, sailors in today's round-the-world races often experience disturbing hallucinations, including seeing elephants floating in the sea and strangers taking the helm, or suffer complete psychological breakdown, like Donald Crowhurst. Others become hypnotized by the sea and jump to their deaths.
Off the Deep End looks at the sea's physical character, how it confuses our senses and makes rational thought difficult. It explores the long history of madness at sea and how that is echoed in many of today's yacht races. It looks at the often-marginal behavior of sailors living both figuratively and literally outside society's usual rules. And it also looks at the sea's power to heal, as well as cause, madness.
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"A fascinating and engrossing nose dive into the under-reported depths of nautical insanity." - Kirkus Reviews
"Must-reading for nautical enthusiasts with a strong stomach and readers intrigued by the body-mind connection and other psychiatric matters." - Booklist
"Compton's collection of questionable-sanity stories covers centuries of sailing in a way that is part history, part horror and part hypothesis. Whichever part appeals to you, this book is a fascinating and cautionary tale." - Sailing
"A fun, amusing and engaging history of men and women who went mad at sea." - Blue Water Sailing
"This horrifying and engrossing book could scarcely be improved upon. A lightly-worn but gripping contribution to the field, well researched and full of anecdote and comparison." - The Spectator
"Marvellous, engrossing and horrifying... Off the Deep End is immensely informative and readable, and hugely provocative. My best book of the year." - Horatio Clare, The Big Issue
"Highly recommended." - Yachting Monthly
"An engrossing read." - Sea History
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. This copy is in mint, unmarked condition bound in black cloth covered boards with bright gilt titling to the spine. This copy is bright, tight, white and square. The unclipped dust wrapper is in mint condition. International postal rates are calculated on a book weighing 1 Kilo, in cases where the book weighs more than 1 Kilo increased postal rates will be quoted, where the book weighs less then postage will be reduced accordingly. Confined in a small space for months on end, subject to ship's discipline and living on limited food supplies, many sailors of old lost their minds--and no wonder. Many still do. The result in some instances was bloodthirsty mutinies, such as the whaleboat Sharon whose captain was butchered and fed to the ship's pigs in a crazed attack in the Pacific. Or mob violence, such as the 147 survivors on the raft of the Medusa, who slaughtered each other in a two-week orgy of violence. So serious was the problem that the Royal Navy's own physician claimed sailors were seven times more likely to go mad than the rest of the population. Historic figures such as Christopher Columbus, George Vancouver, Fletcher Christian (leader of the munity of the Bounty), and Robert FitzRoy (founder of the Met Office) have all had their sanity questioned. More recently, sailors in today's round-the-world races often experience disturbing hallucinations, including seeing elephants floating in the sea and strangers taking the helm, or suffer complete psychological breakdown, like Donald Crowhurst. Others become hypnotized by the sea and jump to their deaths. Off the Deep End looks at the sea's physical character, how it confuses our senses and makes rational thought difficult. It explores the long history of madness at sea and how that is echoed in many of today's yacht races. It looks at the often-marginal behavior of sailors living both figuratively and literally outside society's usual rules. And it also looks at the sea's power to heal, as well as cause, madness. Ref HHH 2. Seller Inventory # 027836
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. As well as isolation, cramped conditions and alcoholism, there are many reasons why madness is ?seven times more likely? at sea. In this survey of maritime distemper, Nic Compton documents numerous cases of mental illness on board ships, yachts and lifeboats, many of which led to suicide and occasionally cannibalism. Particularly poignant is the story of Donald Crowhurst, the singlehanded sailor who, becoming delusional, faked his position in a 1968 round-the-world race, and seemingly jumped overboard to his death. Seller Inventory # 507998
Book Description Condition: New. Über den AutorNic ComptonKlappentextConfined in a small space for months on end, subject to ship\ s discipline and living on limited food supplies, many sailors of old lost their minds--and no wonder. . Seller Inventory # 595990322