"Dove": The Story of Robin Lee Graham Quiz

Answer: Robin's boat

Dove was Robin's first boat, a twenty-four foot fiberglass sloop that took him more than halfway around the world. The boat was five years old when he and his father purchased it for $5500. Robin began his voyage out of San Pedro, California on July 27, 1965.

Answer: cats

Robin's uncle, Dick Fisher, gave him his first two kittens, a farewell gift to keep him company. Robin named the kittens Joliette and Suzette. During his voyage, cats came and went: he also had Avanga, Gollum, Kili, Fili,and Fili's kittens, Pooh and Piglet.

Answer: National Geographic

Robin was featured in a three-part series in "National Geographic", October, 1968, April, 1969, and October, 1970. If you can find any of these old copies, they're well worth buying. Filled with the brilliant photographs that are "National Geographic's" hallmark, the articles tell not only the story of Robin's trials at sea, but also his interaction with peoples of many cultures and countries.

A fascinating read!

Answer: California

Robin was from Southern California, but had spent a year sailing the Pacific with his family on his father's boat, the Golden Hind.

Answer: Patti

Robin's friend, Dick Johnston introduced him to Patti Ratterree at a terrible time in Robin's life: he was on a two-day drunk, grieving the loss of the cat, Joliette, who had been killed. Robin and Patti fell in love and spent as much time together as possible, but Patti was careful to not interfere with Robin's plan to sail the world alone.

However, Robin was so lonely between ports, he thought about sabotaging the boat, sinking it, and being free to settle down with Patti!

Answer: motorcycle

Robin and Patti arranged to meet in Durban. There they bought a used Japanese motorcycle, two saddlebags, and a pup tent and set off to explore Africa. They named the motorcycle Elsa, after the lioness in the movie, "Born Free." For a few days, they traveled with a chameleon perched on the handlebars. (They named him Clyde!)

Answer: He got married.

Robin and Patti had intended on marrying in Durban, but to Robin's absolute shock, he discovered that he still needed his parent's permission to get a marriage license. (He was only eighteen, but had sailed halfway around the world alone, a feat which should have qualified him for manhood!) His parents actually refused to give permission, siting Robin's age and his commitment to complete his voyage. Several months later, they reconsidered and sent their written consent to the post office in Cape Town.

They were married there in the magistrate's office and rode Elsa to the Birkenhead Hotel, where they stayed the night in the bridal suite.

Answer: Robin's daughter

Patti gave birth to daughter Quimby on Catalina Island, after Robin had completed his journey. Robin and Patti were on a weekend trip to the island with her father in his new power boat when she went into labor, about two weeks early. Quimby was born in the tiny eight room hospital on Catalina. The last I heard (in 2006,) they also had a son, Benjamin, and two grandsons.

Answer: The Return of Dove

After sailing more than halfway around the globe in the twenty-four foot long Dove, Robin felt that the little boat was no longer seaworthy and decided to replace her with a larger boat. He bought a thirty-three foot fiberglass sloop, and christened her Return of Dove. Ultimately, they referred to the two boats as Little Dove and Big Dove.

Answer: Montana

Robin and Patti Graham left ocean life for the mountains of Montana. They sold Dove, bought one hundred sixty acres, and built their own log home. The last I heard, they were in the construction business. Robin co-authored another book (with Derek Gill, with whom he wrote "Dove,") called "Home is the Sailor," documenting struggles with his life after "Dove."