Adapting to Life Alone on the Island: Chapter 10

Bottlenose dolphin. US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The mild weather of the summer ends and winter storms begin. Karana decides to take a small canoe and paddle to the mainland, where she hopes to meet her people. She will do this instead of waiting for a ship to return for her. Karana steers the canoe by using the location of stars as guides, but waves push her off course.

The canoe springs a leak, and Karana patches it with material from her skirt. Another leak appears, and Karana realizes that the canoe is in danger of filling with water.

She begins to paddle back to the island and is surrounded by many dolphins that leap in the water in front of her canoe. Karana is grateful for the company of the dolphins who accompany her on her way back to the island.

Fact Check: Navigation

How did people navigate the ocean waters in the early 1800s?

What do we know?
Native peoples used the stars, ocean currents, and wave patterns to navigate around the Channel Islands. European and American sailors used these tools as well, and they also relied on the compass, marine sextant (to measure latitude), chronometer (an extremely accurate clock), and nautical charts for navigation. 

What’s the evidence?
Secondary source: In Voices from the Field archeologist Don Morris discusses navigation aids used in the 1800s (nineteenth century).

Voices from the Field

Don Morris, National Park Service archeologist (retired), discusses the different methods of navigation used by people in the 1800s (nineteenth century) in the Channel Islands. 

Photos & Multimedia, Maps

Website: Ten-day weather forecast for San Nicolas Island, California
Map: Ocean currents off the coast of Southern California

Teacher Resources

Writing Prompts and Lesson Plans