Robinson Crusoe

My First Voyage

Early Life

I was born in the year 1632 in york, a city in the north of England. My father who was an old man gave me a fair good education at a public school. My father always wanted me to become a lawyer but i was determinded to go to the sea. My mother and other friends tried hard to persuade me that it was not a good idea, father said that it was unnecessry to go venturing in the world to earn my living and it would only make me unhappy. I was truly sad that i was not able to please my father and to avoid any more arguments i decided to run from home at the first opportunity.

My chance came one day with Hull my friend, he was going to london on his father's boat and he suggested that i should go with him, and since he is my friend i needed not to pay. so without telling anyone on the first of september 1651, i went on board a ship which would take me to London.

The Voyage

The journey was horrible! From the begining the wind started to blow furiously, and since i never been to the sea i was dreadfully seasick,as a result of the strong wind our ship sank halfway to london, and we had to row to land on a small emergency boat.

I had little money in my pocket, so i travelled to london on land. At that time i was wondering whether i should continue my journey or return home, but then i met a captain of a ship; who had just returned form Guinea and he offered to give me a ride on his ship. Then my mind was made up. I would not return to my family.

The voyage we made was the only one succesful, the captain was a really good friend to me, as he taught me mathematica and the rules of navigation. He enjoyed teaching me all that a sailor must know. This voyage made me both a sailor and a merchant, for i brought five pounds and nine ounce of gold dust back with me from Guinea and i sold it for $300. I told myself this is going to be the way in which i would make my fortune.