Chay Blyth became the first person to sail non-stop around the world in the wrong direction: against the prevailing winds and currents. Sir Francis Chichester commented before the attempt that he thought the voyage was impossible and on completion it became known as “the impossible voyage”.

“I can’t even begin to describe my feelings – what do you feel when a dream suddenly comes true?”

Chay Blyth “The Impossible Voyage”. First published in 1971 by Hodder and Stoughton. This paperback edition was published the same year by Pan Books Ltd. Donated to the library by Malcolm Carey from Cornwall, UK ❤️

Photos by Anna Iltnere / Sea Library