[PREFACE]
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PREFACE.
THE vicissitudes of a life at sea are more striking, and calculated to excite a deeper interest, than any other which the circle of real life presents. The continued change of scene, and the extreme peril which every moment impends over the mariner, render his life a scene of perpetual excitement. This is most particularly the case, when his course is through vast and distant oceans, and towards savage shores, where human safety exists in a form wholly different from any to which he has been accustomed. All the voyages through the Pacific are therefore interesting; yet those made under prosperous auspices, and with an united crew
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are neither so eventful, nor calculated to give such striking views of human nature, as others, where mutiny, disaster, shipwreck and desertion, have thrown the crews entirely at the mercy of the elements, or of the savage natives. A selection, therefore, of some remarkable recent instances of this nature appeared to form an appropriate part of a Miscellany, of which the object is to combine instruction with rational amusement.
The adventure of Captain Wilson, cast away upon the Pelew Islands, a hitherto unknown group, and received there with a kindness which places the character of untutored man in its most amiable light, would, it was conceived, form a peculiarly interesting part of the present volume. An excellent narrative, which appeared at the time, with some additions, has, it is hoped, enabled us to condense all that is valuable in this beautiful and eventful story.
The violent mutiny which broke out in the Bounty, sent out under Captain Bligh to the South Sea with a patriotic object,
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gave rise to a series of adventures of the most striking description, and in which all the extremes both of civilized and savage life were displayed with peculiar force. The almost miraculous preservation of Captain Bligh, and the remnant of his crew;--the voyage and shipwreck of the Pandora, sent out to discover and punish the guilty;--last of all, the establishment of the mutineers on Pitcairn's Island, and thus the formation of an European society upon a solitary island in the heart of the Pacific:--these form a chain of events, which, taken in connexion, surpass in novelty and interest any thing that is almost ever presented in ordinary life.
The last part of the volume, narrating the catastrophe of a crew on the coast of New Zealand, presents an adventure truly tragical, and places in a strong light the character of a race, in whom many amiable qualities are wildly and strangely united with the most savage barbarism.
H. MURRAY.
Edinburgh,
February 1827.
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[CONTENTS]
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CONTENTS.
SHIPWRECK OF THE ANTELOPE.
Introduction..............8
CHAPTER I.
The Antelope Sails from Macao--List of the Crew--Distress--Strikes on a Rock--Landing--Appearance of Natives--Interview and Transactions with them--Particulars concerning Raa Kook, Arra Kooker, &c............. 13
CHAPTER II.
The King visits them--Reception and Behaviour--Examines every thing, and is pleased--Farther Proceedings--At his request, Five Men are sent to assist him against Artingall........37
CHAPTER III.
Return of the People--Account of the Expedition--Captain Wilson visits Pelew--Application made for more Men--Fresh Visit of the King--Second Expedition to Artingall--Death and Funeral of Raa Kook's Son.......... 64
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CHAPTER IV.
Disaster of the Vessel--Account of the Third Engagement--Captain Wilson's Visit to Rupacks--Abba Thulle visits the English with his Wife and Daughter, &c.............96
CHAPTER V.
Expedition to Pelelew--Visit from Abba Thulle--Launching of the Schooner--Presents to the King--Preparations for Departure--Captain Wilson made a Rupack--Blanchard's determination to remain--Proposal for Lee Boo returning with the English--Other Proceedings previous to Sailing..........113
CHAPTER VI.
General Description of the Islands--Productions--Natives --Dress --Dispositions--Manners--Religion--Marriages--Customs--General Character--Government--Precedency, &c..........142
CHAPTER VII.
Passage to Macao--Proceed to Canton and embark for England--Anecdotes of Lee Boo--His Illness and Death.............159
CHAPTER VIII.
Mission sent to the Pelew Islands under Captain M'Cluer--Reception--Events since the Departure of the English--Various Proceedings--New Expedition to Artingall--Death of Abba Thulle--M'Cluer remains--His adventures--Subsequent accounts from the Islands......... 187
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