A 1798 engraving depicts L’Astrolabe and La Boussole. STATE LIBRARY OF NEW SOUTH WALES/PUBIC DOMAIN.
Showing posts with label Marooned. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marooned. Show all posts
Monday, 5 February 2018
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Alexander Selkirk aka Robinson Crusoe's Drinking Cup.
The drinking cup, formed of a small
cocoa-nut shell, presents a simple ornament
scratched with a knife with Selkirk's
own hand, is three inches and a quarter
deep, by two and a half inches diameter.
Mrs Gillies assured the writer, it had
formerly a silver foot and stem, but that
her father had disposed of it. Wanting
that appendage, Sir Walter and Constable
took it to Edinburgh, where the present
foot and stem of rosewood, nearly three
inches high, was added, making the whole
about six inches in height. They also
added the silver band or fillet that
encircles the outside of the cup, bearing Drinking-Cup of Alexander
Selkirk,
this inscription—The Cup of Ala. Selkirk,
whilst in Juan
Fernandez, 1704-9.
http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_008/8_256_265.pdf
http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_008/8_256_265.pdf
Robinson Crusoe's Sea Chest.
This wooden sea-chest (pictured here closed) was used by Alexander Selkirk during his solitary stay on the island of Juan Fernandez in the Pacific Ocean from 1704-9. Born in Largo in Fife, Selkirk was the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's 'Robinson Crusoe'.
Sea-chest of Alexander Selkirk of Lower Largo, Fife, used by him during his solitary stay on the island of Juan Fernandez in the Pacific Ocean, 1704 - 1709
In 1704, after a quarrel with his captain, Selkirk asked to be put ashore on the uninhabited island of Juan Fernandez, 800 miles off the coast of Chile. In 1713, four years after his rescue, his experiences were published, giving Defoe his inspiration.
http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-100-001-706-C&scache=69ic83r8d3&searchdb=scran&PHPSESSID=t9ahgtgmps3643vradjlgm7h75
Sea-chest of Alexander Selkirk of Lower Largo, Fife, used by him during his solitary stay on the island of Juan Fernandez in the Pacific Ocean, 1704 - 1709
In 1704, after a quarrel with his captain, Selkirk asked to be put ashore on the uninhabited island of Juan Fernandez, 800 miles off the coast of Chile. In 1713, four years after his rescue, his experiences were published, giving Defoe his inspiration.
http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-100-001-706-C&scache=69ic83r8d3&searchdb=scran&PHPSESSID=t9ahgtgmps3643vradjlgm7h75
Author's edited images below.
My sincere thanks to Jenny Baker for bringing this to my attention.
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Horror on the High Seas: The Lost Dragon
This story would make a great Historical Trekking scenario for here in Australia! Think of what you could do with this and how far you could take it! Excellent!
Pauline's Pirates & Privateers.
Pauline's Pirates & Privateers.
Friday, 6 May 2011
Philip Ashton. I found some more info.
Sometime in November 1723, I descried a small canoe approaching with a single man; but the sight excited little emotion. I kept my seat on the beach, thinking I could not expect a friend, and knowing that I had no enemy to fear, nor [Pg 230] was I capable of resisting one. As the man approached, he betrayed many signs of surprise; he called me to him, and I told him he might safely venture ashore, for I was alone, and almost expiring. Coming close up, he knew not what to make of me; my garb and countenance seemed so singular, that he looked wild with astonishment. He started back a little, and surveyed me more thoroughly; but, recovering himself again, came forward, and, taking me by the hand, expressed his satisfaction at seeing me.
This stranger proved to be a native of North Britain; he was well advanced in years, of a grave and venerable aspect, and of a reserved temper. His name I never knew, he did not disclose it, and I had not inquired during the period of our acquaintance. But he informed me he had lived twenty-two years with the Spaniards who now threatened to burn him, though I know not for what crime; therefore he had fled hither as a sanctuary, bringing his dog, gun, and ammunition, as also a small quantity of pork, along with him. He designed spending the remainder of his days on the island, where he could support himself by hunting.
I experienced much kindness from the stranger; he was always ready to perform any civil offices, and assist me in whatever he could, though he spoke little: and he gave me a share of his pork.
On the third day after his arrival, he said he would make an excursion in his canoe among the neighboring islands, for the purpose of killing wild-hogs and deer, and wished me to accompany him. Though my spirits were somewhat recruited by his society, the benefit of the fire, which I now enjoyed, and dressed provisions, my weakness and the soreness of my feet, precluded me; therefore he set out alone, saying he would return in a few hours. The sky was serene, and there was no prospect of any danger during a short excursion, seeing he had come nearly twelve leagues in safety in his canoe. But, when he had been absent about an hour, a violent gust of wind and rain arose, in which he probably perished, as I never heard of him more.
Thus, after having the pleasure of a companion almost three days, I was as unexpectedly reduced to my former lonely state, as I had been relieved from it. Yet through the goodness of God, I was myself preserved from having been unable to accompany him; and I was left in better circumstances than those in which he had found me, for now I had about five pounds of pork, a knife, a bottle of gunpowder, [Pg 231] tobacco, tongs and flint, by which means my life could be rendered more comfortable. I was enabled to have fire, extremely requisite at this time, being the rainy months of winter. I could cut up a tortoise, and have a delicate broiled meal.—Thus, by the help of the fire, and dressed provisions, through the blessings of God, I began to recover strength, though the soreness of my feet remained. But I had, besides, the advantage of being able now and then to catch a dish of cray-fish, which, when roasted, proved good eating. To accomplish this I made up a small bundle of old broken sticks, nearly resembling pitch-pine, or candle-wood, and having lighted one end, waded with it in my hand, up to the waist in water. The cray-fish, attracted by the light, would crawl to my feet, and lie directly under it, when, by means of a forked stick, I could toss them ashore.
This stranger proved to be a native of North Britain; he was well advanced in years, of a grave and venerable aspect, and of a reserved temper. His name I never knew, he did not disclose it, and I had not inquired during the period of our acquaintance. But he informed me he had lived twenty-two years with the Spaniards who now threatened to burn him, though I know not for what crime; therefore he had fled hither as a sanctuary, bringing his dog, gun, and ammunition, as also a small quantity of pork, along with him. He designed spending the remainder of his days on the island, where he could support himself by hunting.
I experienced much kindness from the stranger; he was always ready to perform any civil offices, and assist me in whatever he could, though he spoke little: and he gave me a share of his pork.
On the third day after his arrival, he said he would make an excursion in his canoe among the neighboring islands, for the purpose of killing wild-hogs and deer, and wished me to accompany him. Though my spirits were somewhat recruited by his society, the benefit of the fire, which I now enjoyed, and dressed provisions, my weakness and the soreness of my feet, precluded me; therefore he set out alone, saying he would return in a few hours. The sky was serene, and there was no prospect of any danger during a short excursion, seeing he had come nearly twelve leagues in safety in his canoe. But, when he had been absent about an hour, a violent gust of wind and rain arose, in which he probably perished, as I never heard of him more.
Thus, after having the pleasure of a companion almost three days, I was as unexpectedly reduced to my former lonely state, as I had been relieved from it. Yet through the goodness of God, I was myself preserved from having been unable to accompany him; and I was left in better circumstances than those in which he had found me, for now I had about five pounds of pork, a knife, a bottle of gunpowder, [Pg 231] tobacco, tongs and flint, by which means my life could be rendered more comfortable. I was enabled to have fire, extremely requisite at this time, being the rainy months of winter. I could cut up a tortoise, and have a delicate broiled meal.—Thus, by the help of the fire, and dressed provisions, through the blessings of God, I began to recover strength, though the soreness of my feet remained. But I had, besides, the advantage of being able now and then to catch a dish of cray-fish, which, when roasted, proved good eating. To accomplish this I made up a small bundle of old broken sticks, nearly resembling pitch-pine, or candle-wood, and having lighted one end, waded with it in my hand, up to the waist in water. The cray-fish, attracted by the light, would crawl to my feet, and lie directly under it, when, by means of a forked stick, I could toss them ashore.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Philip Ashton Marooned.
PHILIP ASHTON MAROONED.
Philip Ashton was a fisherman. On one of his fishing trips he was captured by pirates captained by Edward Low. Low asked Ashton to join his crew, but Ashton refused so was kept prisoner & made to work.
"That through the goodness of God -- I escaped being consumed by the violence of the Flame who was not only drunk at the time -- but acting like a madman and demanding that we all be shot right then and there."
"I went into the boat, With only an Ozenbrig frock and trousers on, And a milled cap upon my head, having neither shirt, shoes, nor stockings, nor anything else about me. Whereas, had I been aware of such an opportunity by one quarter of an hour before, I could have provided myself with something better. However, thought I, if I can but once get foot on terra-firma, I shall count it a happy Deliverance. For I was resolved, come what would, never to come aboard again."
"I was very active in helping get the casks out of the boat and rolling them up to the watering place. Then I lay down at the fountain and took a heavy draught of cool water. And then I gradually strolled along the beach, picking up stones and shells and looking about me. When I got about a musket shot off, I began to make for the edge of the woods. When the cooper spied me, he called after me and asked me where I was going. I told him I was going to get some coconuts, for there were some coconut trees just before me. But as soon as I reached the woods, I betook myself to my heels and ran as fast as my naked feet would let me."
"What is not good for him that has nothing to live on, except what falls from the trees!"
"As my weakness increased upon me, I should often fall down as though struck with a dead sleep. And sometimes when I lay down I never expected to wake or rise again. And here I lingered, one day after another, I know not how, without business or diversion, rambling from hill to hill, gazing upon the water and staring upon the face of the sky. And often I laid myself down certain that I should die alone, and nobody would know what has become of me, not even my Parents ..."
"One of my greatest difficulties lay in my being barefoot, my travels backward and forward in the woods to hunt for my daily food among the thick underbrush, where the ground was covered with sharp broken shells, had made so many gashes in my feet, and some of them very large, that I was hardly able to go at all."
I have not found any more quotes of Philip Ashton, but I do know that at some time during his stay on the island he had a visit from a stranger, another Englishman in a canoe. This man gave Ashton a gun, lead, gunpowder & a knife. Shortly afterwards the stranger left to go hunting further round the island in his canoe. That night a storm blew up and Ashton never saw the stranger again.
"In saving me from the rage of pirates, And the malice of Spaniards, from the beasts of the field, and the monsters of the sea, in keeping me alive amidst so many deaths in such a lonely and helpless condition, and in bringing about my deliverance, the last being whereof I must be just gone to Bonacca, where a storm must drive a fleet of ships so far southward, And their need for water must oblige them to put in at the island where I was, And a vessel bound to my own home must come and take me in, I cannot but take notice of the strange concurrence of Divine Providence throughout it all."
Narrative of Philip Ashton Jr., 1725.
Philip Ashton was a fisherman. On one of his fishing trips he was captured by pirates captained by Edward Low. Low asked Ashton to join his crew, but Ashton refused so was kept prisoner & made to work.
"That through the goodness of God -- I escaped being consumed by the violence of the Flame who was not only drunk at the time -- but acting like a madman and demanding that we all be shot right then and there."
"I went into the boat, With only an Ozenbrig frock and trousers on, And a milled cap upon my head, having neither shirt, shoes, nor stockings, nor anything else about me. Whereas, had I been aware of such an opportunity by one quarter of an hour before, I could have provided myself with something better. However, thought I, if I can but once get foot on terra-firma, I shall count it a happy Deliverance. For I was resolved, come what would, never to come aboard again."
"I was very active in helping get the casks out of the boat and rolling them up to the watering place. Then I lay down at the fountain and took a heavy draught of cool water. And then I gradually strolled along the beach, picking up stones and shells and looking about me. When I got about a musket shot off, I began to make for the edge of the woods. When the cooper spied me, he called after me and asked me where I was going. I told him I was going to get some coconuts, for there were some coconut trees just before me. But as soon as I reached the woods, I betook myself to my heels and ran as fast as my naked feet would let me."
"What is not good for him that has nothing to live on, except what falls from the trees!"
"As my weakness increased upon me, I should often fall down as though struck with a dead sleep. And sometimes when I lay down I never expected to wake or rise again. And here I lingered, one day after another, I know not how, without business or diversion, rambling from hill to hill, gazing upon the water and staring upon the face of the sky. And often I laid myself down certain that I should die alone, and nobody would know what has become of me, not even my Parents ..."
"One of my greatest difficulties lay in my being barefoot, my travels backward and forward in the woods to hunt for my daily food among the thick underbrush, where the ground was covered with sharp broken shells, had made so many gashes in my feet, and some of them very large, that I was hardly able to go at all."
I have not found any more quotes of Philip Ashton, but I do know that at some time during his stay on the island he had a visit from a stranger, another Englishman in a canoe. This man gave Ashton a gun, lead, gunpowder & a knife. Shortly afterwards the stranger left to go hunting further round the island in his canoe. That night a storm blew up and Ashton never saw the stranger again.
"In saving me from the rage of pirates, And the malice of Spaniards, from the beasts of the field, and the monsters of the sea, in keeping me alive amidst so many deaths in such a lonely and helpless condition, and in bringing about my deliverance, the last being whereof I must be just gone to Bonacca, where a storm must drive a fleet of ships so far southward, And their need for water must oblige them to put in at the island where I was, And a vessel bound to my own home must come and take me in, I cannot but take notice of the strange concurrence of Divine Providence throughout it all."
Narrative of Philip Ashton Jr., 1725.
Monday, 2 May 2011
His whole worldly wealth, which had no shelter but the overhanging
rocks by which it was deposited, consisted of his bed and bedding,
his chest of clothing, his books, mathematical and nautical instruments,
a hatchet, a knife, a kettle,a gun, powder and balls. With these he had
some tobacco, and a few other small articles contained in his chest.
He struck a fire, and broiled a fish that he took from the water, and, on this,
with a draught from a little brook that ran sparkling along, close by where his
effects were lodged, he made his first breakfast, as lord of Juan Fernandez Island.
THE STORY OF
ALEXANDER SELKIRK.
PHILADELPHIA :
HENRY F. ANNERS.
1841.
rocks by which it was deposited, consisted of his bed and bedding,
his chest of clothing, his books, mathematical and nautical instruments,
a hatchet, a knife, a kettle,a gun, powder and balls. With these he had
some tobacco, and a few other small articles contained in his chest.
He struck a fire, and broiled a fish that he took from the water, and, on this,
with a draught from a little brook that ran sparkling along, close by where his
effects were lodged, he made his first breakfast, as lord of Juan Fernandez Island.
THE STORY OF
ALEXANDER SELKIRK.
PHILADELPHIA :
HENRY F. ANNERS.
1841.
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Alexander Selkirk's survival on Juan Fernandez Island 1704-1709.
The story of Robinson Crusoe written by Daniel Defoe, is believed to have been inspired by the survival story of Alexander Selkirk. Here is the list of items he was left with when abandoned on Juan Fernandez Island in 1709.
Author's Note: Does anyone know what an 18th century "flip-can" is?
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