Adventures of British Seamen
Author
Hugh Murray
Date1827
Object number00028996
NameBook
MediumInk on paper, leather
DimensionsOverall: 157 x 100 x 27 mm, 250 g
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionHugh Murray's book the 'Adventures of British Seamen in the Southern Ocean, Displaying the Striking-Contrast which the Human Character Exhibits in an Uncivilized State' illustrates the strength and weaknesses of British seamen, and their behaviour under crisis. The book provides a very detailed account of the wreck of the ANTELOPE off the Pelew Islands of the Pacific in 1783, the mutiny on the BOUNTY in 1789 and the subsequent wreck of HMS PANDORA in 1791.HistoryHugh Murray's book on the Adventures of British Seamen was published in 1827 in volume four of 'Constable's Miscellany of Original and Selected Publications of in the Various Departments of Literature, Science & the Arts'.SignificanceIn the early 19th century, the publication of works critical of the Royal Navy and British seamen were quite rare. This book is an important record of the wrecks of the ANTELOPE, BOUNTY and PANDORA, and provides interesting contradictions to the official accounts of the incidences and the treatment of the BOUNTY mutineers.
