Robin Lee Graham, the 16-Year-Old That Sailed Around the World With His Cat in 1965

In the summer of 1965, Robin Lee Graham set sail on a journey around the world at the young age of 16. To battle the loneliness, he brought along Avanga, one of several cats that kept him company on the voyage. He later recounted “the cats frolicked in the cozy cabin, heedless of the world of water around them.”

Over several years, Graham navigated vast oceans, enduring storms, isolation, and numerous obstacles. Setting sail from San Pedro, California, aboard a 24-foot sloop named Dove, he crossed multiple seas and, in the end, became the youngest person at the time to complete a solo circumnavigation.

During the journey, he met and married his wife Patti, who became pregnant. Boat repairs due to storms caused long delays in port, which added to the length of the journey. Financial assistance was provided by National Geographic who published numerous issues about his voyage’s progress.

Graham’s book about his voyage, Dove, was published in 1972. His voyage was depicted in a film, The Dove (1974) and in 1983 with co-author Derek Gill, Graham wrote a follow-up book titled Home is the Sailor. Here are some photographs from his amazing journey: