Kon-Tiki

Thor Heyerdahl’s telegram went out:

“Am going to cross the Pacific on a wooden raft, Kon-Tiki, to support theory that the South Sea Islands were peopled from Peru. Will you come?”

How might you respond to the invitation to be a crew member aboard the Kon-Tiki?

If you were a person who longed for adventure, why might this voyage be appealing?

What dangers might be involved in such a voyage?

Kon-Tiki’s Voyage

4,300 miles Lima

French Polynesia

Kon-Tiki• Constructed of nine thick Peruvian balsa

logs lashed together with hemp rope.• The raft measured 45 ft. long in the

center, but was tapered 30 ft. at the sides, producing a bluntly pointed bow.

• Two masts supported a large rectangular sail, and a bamboo cabin was built near the center of the raft.

• A large steering oar at the stern and five centerboards completed the design.

• No metal was used.

The Voyage• Kon-Tiki’s six member crew lead

by Thor Heyerdahl will sail 4,300 miles across the Pacific Ocean.

• On April 28, 1947, Kon-Tiki is towed out of Callao Harbor in Lima Peru and set adrift.

• On August 7, 1947, the 101st day of the voyage, Kon-Tiki crashes into the Tuamoto Archipelago.

Kon-Tiki’s Voyage

4,300 miles Lima

French Polynesia

Taking Notes

• Bi-fold your paper• Label the two columns

• Courage• Careful Preparation

Courage• Willing to risk a voyage of 4,300 miles on an open raft

• The raft is relatively small, powered by wind and current

• They knew they would crash, but were hopeful of survival

• Planned to stay on Kon-Tiki at all costs—Hold on!

• They valued one another so much that, “If one survived, all would survive.”

• Remained calm, each one knowing what he should do.

• Trusted one another with their lives.

• All survived because of the courage each crew member displayed.

Careful Preparation• Made a plan for their inevitable crash, knowing they couldn’t avoid the reef.

• Secured everything of value in the cabin.

• Prepared a raft, placing provisions in it.

– A water tight radio

– Food

– Freshwater

– Placed all documents and film of the voyage in water tight containers

– Medical supplies

• Tried to cut off centerboards so Kon-Tiki might ride over the reef.

• Trimmed the sails to reduce the wind surface.

• Made an anchor using old batteries and sticks, tied it to the mast and threw it off the aft of the raft.

• Sent out a radio message of their location

• Put on life jackets and shoes.