the Voyage Alone in Yawl Rob Roy

In the earlier part of this voyage, and where it was most wished for, along the dangerous coast of France, fine weather came. Next there was an amphibious interlude to the Paris Exhibition, while the Rob Roy sailed inland. Thence her course over the sea brought the yawl across the broad Channel (100 miles) to Cowes and its Regattas, and to rough water in dark nights of thunder, until once more in the Thames and up the Medway she was under bright skies again

Riveting tale of a 1,500-mile voyage on a 21-foot sailboat in 1867, undertaken in response to a "Boat Exhibition" and regatta staged by Napoleon III to encourage the youth of France to explore the rivers and streams of their native land. This rapturous account became known as "the book that launched a thousand ships."