The First Woman To Go 'Round The World Did It As A Man

January 24, 2012
by Robert Krulwich

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/01/23/145664873/the-first-woman-to-go-round-the-world-did-it-as-a-man?sc=fb&cc=fp

She was the first woman ever to circumnavigate the globe, but she did it dressed as a man. For more than two years she traveled on a French naval vessel with linen bandages wrapped tightly around her upper body to flatten her chest. It was a small ship with 300 men who knew her as "Jean." But she wasn't Jean. She was Jeanne. Then one day, they found her out.

The first woman to go all the way around the world was born in France in 1740, in the Loire Valley. Her family taught her to identify plants to treat wounds and diseases and so she became "an herb woman," a peasant schooled in botanical medicine. In this she was not unusual. People didn't have to read or write to "botanize." Most of the learning was passed down orally. Jeanne Baret was, apparently, very good at it, and she was also very lucky.

Among the responders, one mentions the female pirates not to mention pirate captains.

I have to admit I have very little proper information of naval history, even of that time, but have wondered about this reality in light of the famed antipathy toward women at sea.

But I'm sure there will be a prosaic explanation somewhere.

That prosaic explanation was that the 1st mate was the captain's lover. 1st mate with fringe benefits...

If he didn't shape-up she took another that'd do better - at least for a while.

Also pirate ships were the only know democratic (mini) societies at the time, as the captain was 'elected' and could be 'fired' by the crew.

Women have a knack to keep 'things' together often very much better then men. So this might explain some...

Axélle

That's as good an explanation as any I've heard Axélle.

I have heard stories about Cabin boys and 1st mates. As plausible as they seem, I generally take them the same way as the stories that do the rounds about homosexuality in boy's boarding schools.

Though if you don't mind me saying, your explanation isn't exactly prosaic. But though provoking, none-the-less.

Quote from: spacial on January 25, 2012, 04:58:42 PM
That's as good an explanation as any I've heard Axélle.

I have heard stories about Cabin boys and 1st mates. As plausible as they seem, I generally take them the same way as the stories that do the rounds about homosexuality in boy's boarding schools.

Though if you don't mind me saying, your explanation isn't exactly prosaic. But though provoking, none-the-less.

I was at boarding school from age 10 on, and if I'd been just a bit homosexual I would have had one jolly good time... turns out I didn't. Hum.
I still think, more then anything else, we are just born that way. Same as being transsexual for that matter.

1st mate as lover, was to have the MALE tools to keep order on deck.
Not even sure if the female captain would have had much of an interest in sex other then having a helper to maintain her position. She would have been a lesbian more likely then anything else - but if needs must be... why not?

No idea what role cabin-boys would have to play in this, it is/was purely a trade, sex for good service and captain's support.
How many women on this planet do just this? Countless!

There you go :-)
Axelle

[W]hen Winston [Churchill] was at the Admiralty, the Board objected to some suggestion of his on the grounds that it would not be in accord with naval tradition. 'Naval tradition? Naval tradition?' said Winston. 'Monstrous. Nothing but rum, sodomy, prayers and the lash.'

Quote from: Jamie D on January 26, 2012, 04:43:48 PM
[W]hen Winston [Churchill] was at the Admiralty, the Board objected to some suggestion of his on the grounds that it would not be in accord with naval tradition. 'Naval tradition? Naval tradition?' said Winston. 'Monstrous. Nothing but rum, sodomy, prayers and the lash.'

That's good old 'Winston C.' for you. Great quotation, love it!

"Sodomy" eh... sod it, quite sure he never had heard of female captains either.
No need for sodomy there. Rum, prayers and lash will do then just fine, he he.

Axélle