Shipwreck stories of castaways and survivors continue to intrigue people well into the present century. We were inspired to reprint the memoirs of Captain Thomas Musgrave because the spirit he embodied as a castaway can be within us all – not just to survive, but to survive with honour. Once his ship was wrecked, Captain Musgrave knew he had no legitimate hold over the men in his care, and yet his godly wisdom, self-sacrifice, moral character and a deep sense of fairness ensured that all of the crew survived.
This is a companion volume to Francois Raynal’s Wrecked on a Reef, also available from Lakeview Publishing. Both Musgrave and Raynal were on the Grafton when it was wrecked on the Aucklands in 1864. Their two accounts make fascinating reading.
"Thursday, September 7, 1865, sailing for Stewart Island: “. 4 p.m. —Blowing a hurricane; sea frightful; vessel labouring, and straining immensely; if not very strong she cannot stand this long; consider her in a highly dangerous situation. Just taken in mainsail and jib, and set a small boat’s sail, under which she feels somewhat easier; but if one of the high seas that are coming round her in every direction falls on board, she is gone; it would knock her into ten thousand pieces. Frightful.”"
180 pages, illustrated, A5 sized paperback