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- Surviving shipwreck on Auckland Island
During 1864, the `Grafton' and the `Invercauld' were shipwrecked in different locations on Auckland Island less than 20 miles (30 kilometres) from each other. The contrast between the actions taken by the two crews could not be greater.
Auckland Island is one of the subantarctic islands located about 300 miles (465 kilometres) south-east of New Zealand. By drawing on a range of sources, including the journals of Thomas Musgrave and Francois Raynal, Joan Druett depicts a tale of courage and survival on the part of the crew of the `Grafton'. All five of the crew on the `Grafton' survived the shipwreck, lived on the island for twenty months and were all rescued. Their resourcefulness and ability to work together as a team enabled them to make the most of their inhospitable surroundings and finally to build a vessel to enable three of them to sail to New Zealand to seek a rescue expedition.
Contrast this with the crew of the `Invercauld'. Shipwrecked some months after the `Grafton', nineteen of the crew of twenty five survived. By the time they were rescued, about twelve months later, only three had survived.
This is an inspiring tale of leadership, survival, ingenuity and courage on the part of the crew of the `Grafton'. Contrast this with the lack of leadership and co-operation displayed by the survivors of the `Invercauld'.
Ms Druett is a maritime historian, and this is reflected in her writing. She has drawn material from a number of sources to write this book.
Highly recommended to all with an interest in maritime history and tales of survival.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
- Surviving shipwreck on Auckland IslandDuring 1864, the `Grafton' and the `Invercauld' were shipwrecked in different locations on Auckland Island less than 20 miles (30 kilometres) from each other. The contrast between the actions taken by the two crews could not be greater.
Auckland Island is one of the subantarctic islands located about 300 miles (465 kilometres) south-east of New Zealand. By drawing on a range of sources, including the journals of Thomas Musgrave and Francois Raynal, Joan Druett depicts a tale of courage and survival on the part of the crew of the `Grafton'. All five of the crew on the `Grafton' survived the shipwreck, lived on the island for twenty months and were all rescued. Their resourcefulness and ability to work together as a team enabled them to make the most of their inhospitable surroundings and finally to build a vessel to enable three of them to sail to New Zealand to seek a rescue expedition.
Contrast this with the crew of the `Invercauld'. Shipwrecked some months after the `Grafton', nineteen of the crew of twenty five survived. By the time they were rescued, about twelve months later, only three had survived.
This is an inspiring tale of leadership, survival, ingenuity and courage on the part of the crew of the `Grafton'. Contrast this with the lack of leadership and co-operation displayed by the survivors of the `Invercauld'.
Ms Druett is a maritime historian, and this is reflected in her writing. She has drawn material from a number of sources to write this book.
Highly recommended to all with an interest in maritime history and tales of survival.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith