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Joshua Slocum was one of the first people to carry out a long-distance sailing voyage for pleasure, circumnavigating the world between 1895 and 1898.

Despite opinion that such a voyage was impossible and his having retired, Slocum rebuilt a derelict sloop Spray and sailed her single-handed around the world.

His book Sailing Alone Around the World is a classic adventure, and inspired many others to take to the seas.