MOST people know their
"Robinson Crusoe," and have heard of the author Defoe. But how many of
us have heard even the name of Woodes Rogers, Master Mariner? or have
read his quaint Journal of a cruising voyage round the world in the
ships "Duke" and "Dutchess" of Bristol. Yet it was this Woodes Rogers
who not only discovered the original Crusoe, Alexander Selkirk, but
after making a "note of him when found" upon the island of Juan
Fernandez/ at once proceeded to make very practical use of him by giving
him command of the "Increase" one of many small prizes taken in the
South Seas from the Spaniards by the "Duke" and "Dutchess." That Rogers
was more than a master mariner, of much resource and pluck, is shown in
his Journal, and the wonderful way in which he handled the very mixed
group of men which formed the small floating commonwealth under him. It
was more than thirty years later that Lord Anson sailed a similar voyage
round the world with the advantage of the experience of Rogers and
others, while Anson's squadron was fitted, manned, and armed by
Government: yet, considering the loss of life and material which marked
that cruise, it seems to me that, judged by results, Rogers' voyage was
a far more wonderful performance, and that it attracted some attention
at the time is shown by a notice of it in Captain Berkley's "Naval
History," (published, 1756), where, under the heading of "Conduct of the
Bristol Privateers" he says, "we have read in very pompous language the
names of those who, with great ships and great preparations, encompassed
the Globe. But at this time came in two privateers, of Bristol, who with
no more than the common strength of such vessels, undertook the voyage,
and at the end of two years and three months returned,' &c.
In his own Preface, Captain Rogers says, "I was not fond to appear in
print; but my friends who had read my journal prevailed with me at last
to publish it," adding, "I know 'tis generally expected, that when far
distant voyages are printed, they should contain new and wonderful
discoveries, with surprising accounts of people and animals; but this
voyage being only designed for cruising on the enemy, it is not
reasonable to expect such accounts here as are to be met with in travels
relating to history, geography, &c., while, as for stile, I have not had
time, were it my talent, to polish it; nor do I think it necessary for a
mariner's journal. 'Tis also," he says, "a particular misfortune, which
attends voyages to the South Sea, that the buccaneers, to set off their
own knight-errantry, and to make themselves pass for prodigies of
courage and conduct, have given such romantick accounts of their
adventures, and told such strange stories, as make the voyages of those
who come after (and cannot allow themselves the same liberty), to look
flat and insipid to unthinking people. Therefore I request my readers,
that they be favourable in their censures when they peruse this journal
which is not calculated to amuse, but barely to relate the truth, and
which is all written in the language of the sea, that being more genuine
and natural for a mariner than the method used by authors that write
ashoar." I have, therefore, in the following extracts, quoted Roger's
Journal as closely as possible, adding only a short connecting note here
and there, where required.
Robert C. Leslie.
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