Posted by David Bamford on September 07, 2009 at 11:15:20 user David.
In Reply to: Re: Picking nits in GN? posted by John Wilson on September 07, 2009 at 10:53:01:
I am quite sure that 'Capt. Flint' is AR's alter ego, and as such inherits AR's awareness of his own limitations. I say this because AR was careful to take Capt. Sehmel long with him in Racundra, and 'Capt. Flint' was similarly pleased to take the more experienced 'Peter Duck' along on their proposed treasure hunt. I am similarly sure that there are close parallels in these, one being a literal recall of the earlier factual occasion. I think that he did as much small-boat sailing as he could get in; partly for the sailing per se, and partly to get him to where the fish were. Yes, most of Capt. Flint's overseas travel was by ocean liner because that was the normal way for anyone to travel. Crossing an ocean in a yacht was so rare that anyone doing it would write a book about it afterwards, as they did.
David