Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 2 – We’re Not Afraid to Die… If We Can All Be Together (Gorden Cook and Alan East) Long question answers

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English

Hornbill

Chapter 2 – We’re Not Afraid to Die… If We Can All Be Together (Gorden Cook and Alan East)

Long question answers

 

Question 1.
List the steps taken by the captain to protect the ship when rough weather began

Answer:
In July 1976, the author, along with the ship's captain and family, embarked on a daring sea voyage aboard the 'Wavewalker' from Plymouth, England. The initial phase of their planned three-year, 105,000-kilometer journey proceeded smoothly until they encountered strong gales on the second day out of Cape Town. Anticipating rough weather, the captain had enlisted the assistance of Larry Vigil, an American, and Herb Seigler, a Swiss, to navigate the treacherous waters of the southern Indian Ocean.

Over the following weeks, relentless strong winds persisted, and the waves reached alarming heights, up to 15 meters, equivalent to the height of their boat's main mast. By December 25th, they found themselves 3500 kilometers east of Cape Town. Despite the extremely adverse weather conditions, they celebrated Christmas. On January 2nd, as dawn broke, the waves became colossal, yet they continued sailing with only a small storm jib, maintaining a speed of eight knots.

In an effort to safeguard the ship from the harsh weather, the captain decided to slow down the boat. They dropped the storm jib and secured a heavy mooring rope in a loop across the stem. Taking additional precautions, everything on board was double-lashed. The crew then conducted a life-raft drill, attaching lifelines, donning oilskins, and securing life jackets. This was the captain's strategy to protect the ship during the onset of rough weather.

Question 2.
Describe the mental condition of the voyagers on 4 and 5 January.

Answer:

In July 1976, the author and his family embarked on a thrilling sea voyage aboard their vessel, Wavewalker, setting sail from Plymouth, England. The initial leg of their meticulously planned three-year, 105,000-kilometer journey unfolded smoothly. However, challenges arose when they encountered formidable gales on the second day out of Cape Town.

Confronted by towering and menacing sea waves that broke over their vessel, both the author and his daughter Sue sustained injuries. The ship suffered damage, allowing a substantial amount of water to enter. The author undertook repairs to the best of his ability, yet an air of uncertainty lingered over their fate.

By January 4, after 36 hours of ceaseless pumping, they managed to reduce the water level to the last few centimeters. Now, their focus shifted to maintaining pace with the incoming water. Exhausted, hungry, and grappling with the struggle for survival, the voyagers found a brief respite when Mary discovered some corned beef and cracker biscuits, marking their first meal in nearly two days. However, this relief was short-lived.

As black clouds gathered behind them at 4 p.m. on January 4, the weather worsened throughout the night, heightening their awareness of the imminent peril. On January 5, desperation once again gripped them, even the children acknowledging the looming threat of death. Remarkably, the children displayed extraordinary courage. The author's son conveyed to his father that they were not afraid of death as long as the family remained together—father, mother, Sue, and Jonathan.

Touched by his son's words, the author resolved to confront the sea with whatever means available. That evening, amidst the motion of the ship causing more water to seep through the broken planks, the author and his wife sat together, holding hands. Despite the encroaching danger of death, their mental outlook remained surprisingly positive, emphasizing their unity in the face of adversity.

Question 3.
Describe the shifts in the narration of the events as indicated in the three sections of the text. Give a suitable to each section.

Answer:

The initial part of the narrative recounts the author and his family's departure from Plymouth, England, in July 1976 aboard their boat, Wavewalker. Months were devoted to preparing and testing the vessel in challenging conditions. The initial phase of their planned three-year, 105,000-kilometer journey unfolded smoothly as they sailed along the west coast of Africa to Cape Town. However, on their second day out of Cape Town, they were confronted with persistent strong gales that lasted for weeks, causing alarming waves, reaching gigantic proportions by dawn on January 2.

At 6 p.m., a remarkably high wave struck the ship, resulting in a tremendous explosion that reverberated through the deck. A torrent of green and white water inundated the ship, leading to the author being thrown overboard and sinking beneath the waves. Surprisingly, his head emerged from the water, witnessing Wavewalker nearly capsizing. A subsequent wave, however, righted the boat, leaving water everywhere. The author, requesting his wife Mary to take the wheel, found his daughter Sue injured in the children's cabin with a significant bump above her eyes. Despite continuous pumping, their Mayday calls yielded no responses.

The subsequent section details their quest for an island. By the morning of January 3, the water level was somewhat under control, allowing them two hours of rest in shifts. However, a substantial leak persisted below the waterline, jeopardizing the integrity of Wavewalker. With the damaged starboard hull section lacking support, the author determined that reaching Australia was unattainable. Instead, he searched for the nearest island, discovering two options a few hundred kilometers to the east on the charts.

On January 4, after 36 hours of relentless pumping, they reached the last few centimeters of water. Their only task now was to match the incoming water. Mary's discovery of corned beef and cracker biscuits provided them with their first meal in almost two days. However, at 4 p.m., ominous black clouds gathered, signaling a worsening weather condition. By dawn on January 5, their situation turned desperate again. When comforting the children, the author's son Jon expressed their lack of fear of death if they could be together with their parents.

The third section recounts their joyous arrival at Île Amsterdam. The author verified his calculations and, around 2 p.m., instructed Larry to steer a course of 185 degrees, anticipating the island's sighting by 5 p.m. After a brief rest, the author awoke at 6 p.m. to learn from his children that they had indeed found the island. They anchored offshore for the night, and the next morning, all 28 inhabitants of Île Amsterdam cheered as they assisted the family ashore.

Question 4.
How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure “the direst stress”?

Answer:
The gripping narrative, "We're Not Afraid to Die… If We Can All Be Together," illustrates that with optimism, courage, and unwavering conviction, one can navigate through the most severe challenges. Commencing their round-the-world sea voyage in July 1976 from Plymouth, England, the author, along with his wife Mary, son Jonathan, and daughter Sue, enlisted the services of two crewmen, Larry Vigil and Herb Seigler, upon reaching Cape Town.

Despite facing the imminent threat of death multiple times during their journey, the entire crew never succumbed to despair. Their resilience and optimism in the face of disaster were particularly commendable, with the children exhibiting exemplary courage and a remarkable sense of calmness. The author, deeply concerned for the safety of everyone on board, tirelessly worked towards their well-being until they reached the shores of Île Amsterdam. Even Sue, with a serious head injury, chose not to disclose the severity to spare her father from additional worry.

A striking testament to optimism is exemplified by a card Sue presented to her father, expressing gratitude and a shared hope for the best. Throughout the critical moments, Larry and Herb also maintained a cheerful and optimistic demeanor. Mary, steering the ship with hope for their survival, contributed to the collective resilience of the crew. Thus, this narrative underscores the profound impact of optimism in helping individuals "endure the direst stress."Question 3.
What lessons do we learn from such hazardous experiences when we are face to face with death ?
Answer:
The sea voyage which the author and his family undertook was quite a hazardous experience from them. Several times they were face to face with death. But with their courage, conviction, struggle and optimism they were able to reach the island lie Amsterdam though their boat was badly damaged and a lot of water had entered in it.When we are face to face with death either we can lose heart and stop struggling. Or we can struggle hard for our survival in a courageous and optimistic manner what the author and his family and Larry and Herb did under the disasterous situation. Half the battle is lost when we surrender cowardly before the circumstances.

But victory is very much within our reach if we face the death bravely, with balanced mind and, of course, with faith and optimism. Under such circumstances, we should always hope for the best and never cease struggling with the best of our abilities.

Question 5:

How did the initial phase of the author's sea journey conclude? What preparations had they undertaken for their expedition?

Answer:

Embarking on a round-the-world sea voyage from Plymouth, England, the author, along with his wife Mary, six-year-old son Jonathan, and seven-year-old daughter Suzanne, commenced their extensive journey in July 1976 aboard the professionally built 30-ton boat, Wavewalker. After months of meticulous preparation, including outfitting and rigorous testing in challenging weather conditions, they set sail with the intention of covering 105,000 kilometers over a planned three-year period. The first leg of their journey transpired smoothly as they navigated down the west coast of Africa, reaching Cape Town.

Question 6:

 What precautions did the author take to safeguard Wavewalker from the towering waves?

Answer:

 Following their departure from Cape Town, the author encountered relentless strong gales blowing continuously for several weeks. The primary concern was the alarming size of the waves, reaching up to 15 meters, equivalent to the height of the boat's main mast. In an effort to protect the vessel from these high-rising waves, they decided to slow down the boat. This involved dropping the storm jib, lashing a heavy mooring rope across the stem, and double-lashing everything on board. Additionally, they performed a life-raft drill, attaching lifelines, donning oilskins, and wearing life jackets.

Question 7:

How did the author survive after a tremendous explosion shook the deck?

Answer:

 During their voyage, an extraordinarily high wave struck Wavewalker, resulting in a tremendous explosion that shook the deck. A torrent of green and white waves broke over the ship, causing the author's head to smash into the wheel. He was thrown overboard and felt himself sinking below the waves, accepting the impending death and losing consciousness. Unexpectedly, his head emerged from the water, and a few meters away, he witnessed Wavewalker on the verge of overturning. A subsequent wave, however, righted the ship. The author, sustaining injuries including cracked ribs and a mouth filled with blood and broken teeth, managed to grab the guard rails and survive.

Question 8:

How did the author locate the island Île Amsterdam?

Answer:

Realizing Wavewalker's precarious condition and its inability to reach Australia, the author consulted the charts and identified two small islands a few hundred kilometers to the east. One of these islands, Île Amsterdam, served as a French scientific base. With the understanding that reaching one of these islands was their only hope, the author meticulously checked and rechecked his calculations. He then instructed Larry to steer a course of 185 degrees, anticipating the sighting of the island around 5 p.m. While the author dozed off, he later discovered that they had indeed found Île Amsterdam, as confirmed by his daughter Sue.