Poon Lim, a Chinese sailor who survived alone adrift on this life raft for 133 days, eventually being rescued in 1943 off the coast of Brazil. Photo taken c.1943-1945 [1200 x 992]
This guy’s story is absolutely insane. I’m a huge fan of survival tales, and this is one of those which defies belief. Poon Lim survived for 133 days after the British merchant navy vessel he was travelling on was sunk by a German U-boat, in November 1942, leaving him stranded in the South Atlantic Ocean. Several others survived the initial sinking, but perished, leaving Poon the sole survivor of the attack. He subsequently clambered aboard this raft, and after slowly working his way through the rations already on board, survived by drinking rainwater and catching fish, sharks and even sea-birds. He ultimately drifted towards the coast of Brazil, where he was rescued and treated in a local hospital, in April 1943.
​
The [wiki page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poon_Lim) on this gent’s life is incredible, as it mainly chronicles the ordeal in more detail (as you might imagine, this situation was…terrible!), as well as explaining how he went on to live his life after his epic survival at sea- it’s well worth a read.
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P.S. I believe this photo was taken in 1945, in which Poon Lim demonstrated his survival techniques to the US military, hence I couldn’t be sure when providing an accurate date for the photo. Clearly, it’s between 1943 (his confirmed date of rescue) and 1945 (the alleged date of the photo being taken during the exercise/demonstration).
63426232
I hope he stayed in Brazil and led a calm life……
oliath
How did he make that raft. That’s what I want to read about. It looks pretty well out together and would require a fair amount of materials….and then all of that while at sea.
redacted_bitch
Were there any books written about his experience? I love survival stories as well, I just finished 438 days. Blew my mind.
bitt3n
the rest of the world had it worse, having to go 133 days without Poon
TheMicMic
So, is it safe to say that the guys that rescued him went out for some Poon?
GreatNorthWeb
The tarp is simultaneously a rain catcher and sail.
fiddlepuss
So he was rescued in 1943 but spent the next two years in and out of the raft to allow for this photo to be taken somewhere between 1943-1945?
thebeaststirs
Taking illegal immigration to a new level
89028349018290348091
Can’t recommend this book enough. Dude was an absolute badass who didn’t know the meaning of quit.
bruhudead210
Probably the most humbling experience he will ever experience. He probably appreciates everything he has in his life much more now.
NostalgiaInLemonade
Imagine how many people went through a similar experience but didn’t survive and were never found.
diagoro1
Anyone else keep reading his name as “Poor Nim”?
Amazing story. Postslike this are why I open reddit!
cicknokkinos
This guy’s story is absolutely insane. I’m a huge fan of survival tales, and this is one of those which defies belief. Poon Lim survived for 133 days after the British merchant navy vessel he was travelling on was sunk by a German U-boat, in November 1942, leaving him stranded in the South Atlantic Ocean. Several others survived the initial sinking, but perished, leaving Poon the sole survivor of the attack. He subsequently clambered aboard this raft, and after slowly working his way through the rations already on board, survived by drinking rainwater and catching fish, sharks and even sea-birds. He ultimately drifted towards the coast of Brazil, where he was rescued and treated in a local hospital, in April 1943.
​
The [wiki page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poon_Lim) on this gent’s life is incredible, as it mainly chronicles the ordeal in more detail (as you might imagine, this situation was…terrible!), as well as explaining how he went on to live his life after his epic survival at sea- it’s well worth a read.
​
P.S. I believe this photo was taken in 1945, in which Poon Lim demonstrated his survival techniques to the US military, hence I couldn’t be sure when providing an accurate date for the photo. Clearly, it’s between 1943 (his confirmed date of rescue) and 1945 (the alleged date of the photo being taken during the exercise/demonstration).
63426232
I hope he stayed in Brazil and led a calm life……
oliath
How did he make that raft. That’s what I want to read about. It looks pretty well out together and would require a fair amount of materials….and then all of that while at sea.
redacted_bitch
Were there any books written about his experience? I love survival stories as well, I just finished 438 days. Blew my mind.
bitt3n
the rest of the world had it worse, having to go 133 days without Poon
TheMicMic
So, is it safe to say that the guys that rescued him went out for some Poon?
GreatNorthWeb
The tarp is simultaneously a rain catcher and sail.
fiddlepuss
So he was rescued in 1943 but spent the next two years in and out of the raft to allow for this photo to be taken somewhere between 1943-1945?
thebeaststirs
Taking illegal immigration to a new level
89028349018290348091
Can’t recommend this book enough. Dude was an absolute badass who didn’t know the meaning of quit.
bruhudead210
Probably the most humbling experience he will ever experience. He probably appreciates everything he has in his life much more now.
NostalgiaInLemonade
Imagine how many people went through a similar experience but didn’t survive and were never found.
diagoro1
Anyone else keep reading his name as “Poor Nim”?
Amazing story. Postslike this are why I open reddit!
Haisjcbeuwnak
“I can’t believe it, I’m saved!”
*Rising Sun comes into view*
“…”