The World Around Us #22

In 1851, the America—a sleek, innovative yacht designed by George Steers—takes on the Royal Yacht Squadron in a historic regatta, with the New York Yacht Club’s crew and captain leading the charge. Under the watchful eye of Queen Victoria and the challenge of elite sailors from both sides of the Atlantic, the race marks the dawn of a legendary competition.

In 1870, after the U.S. naval vessel Saginaw runs aground on a remote desert island, Lieutenant John Talbot and three volunteers—William Halford, Peter Francis, and James Muir—begin the perilous task of building a small boat to sail 1100 miles to safety. Facing storms, dwindling supplies, and the relentless sea, their journey tests every ounce of courage and endurance. Only one man, Halford, survives the final, treacherous approach to the rocky shores of Hawaii, where he raises the alarm that leads to the rescue of the remaining crew.