Joshua Slocum was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, but gained American citizenship after settling in San Francisco in 1865. By this time he had already developed a deep knowledge of navigation and ship handling, and he went on to become a highly respected seaman. His decision to sail around the world alone was driven by a desire for adventure and the challenge of achieving something unprecedented.

In the early 1890s Slocum meticulously rebuilt and refitted an old Massachusetts oyster boat named Spray, transforming it into a seaworthy sloop capable of circumnavigating the globe. On April 24, 1895, Slocum set sail from Boston and after a visit to his childhood haunts in Nova Scotia, departed North America on July 3, 1895.

Relying on the traditional method of dead reckoning to navigate his voyage, Slocum initially intended to sail east. However, after crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Gibraltar, he was chased by Mediterranean pirates so decided to turn westwards towards South America. Slocum crossed into the Pacific through the Strait of Magellan and sailed to Australia, where he followed the northern coast before crossing the Indian Ocean. After rounding the Cape of Good Hope he headed back to North America

Slocum completed the first solo circumnavigation on June 27, 1898, after covering approximately 46,000 miles. His achievement demonstrated the capabilities of small sailing vessels and highlighted the potential for individual sailors to undertake longdistance voyages. He later published an account of his voyage in the book, Sailing Alone Around the World, which has become a classic of maritime literature that continues to inspire generations of sailors.