The Brendan Voyage

Right now I am reading a book called The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin. It is a very interesting book.

In the Medieval Ages, there was an Irish monk called St. Brendan, who supposedly crossed the Atlantic, all the way from Ireland to America, in order to bring the gospel message to the people there. Until 1976, hundreds of years later, most people considered the story a superstitious legend, on the grounds that in St. Brendan’s day, boats capable of performing the feat did not exist. But in 1976 Tim Severin, a man who believed that the story was more than a legend, set sail to prove its feasibility.

The Brendan Voyage, written by the same man, is a true account of his journey from Ireland to America. It’s amazing. Severin has a description of the boat that St. Brendan supposedly used, a map of the route taken, and a record of the adventures that the monk and his fellow preachers had on their journey. From this account, he creates the boat and prepares to sail across the Atlantic.

There’s one drawback, however. The boat in Brendan’s description, as well all traditional Irish boats, is an ancient Irish curragh made of leather ox hides. Everyone is positive that a leather boat will perish on the Atlantic – everyone except Severin. He completes the leather boat ands sets sail.

He is taking the prescribed route, following that of St. Brendan before him, from Ireland, up past Scotland, to the Hebrides, up to the Faroes, on to Iceland, from there to Greenland, and then to his destination, Newfoundland, off the coast of Canada. Rough seas and dangerous winds confront him everywhere in the wild northern waters. The idea is terribly risky. But in the end, he succeeds and proves the Legend of the Brendan Voyage.

I have not finished the entire book yet, but so far, it is great. The story itself is incredible. And the author has a knack for keeping the entire account interesting. It also has neat photographs of the different stages of the journey. I certainly recommend it.