A castaway native American
April 11th 2007 07:29
Many vessels carried native crew for different reasons. In the 1700s. Miskitos were known as Native American Indians who could survive great deprivations on board and then let loose on an island, hunt and fish quickly and efficiently to refill the ship’s larder. Miskito Will was asked to lead a party of sailors on shore at Juan Fernandez Island to find game. He took off at a trot and the sailors shouldered arms and followed the best they could.
This island was discovered by the Spanish and one, Juan Fernandez planned to breed cattle, goats and grow vegetables for passing Spanish ships. He failed and sold the island to another Spaniard with the same name and it was passed to some monks who could not make a go of it either so it eventually became a little used stopping spot for fresh water and hunting by Spanish ships. The island by now was well provided for with plenty of wild goats and acres of wild vegetables.
Miskito Will took off after a herd of wild goats. He was a great hunter and like most of his nation fleet of foot. He left the crew well behind but that did not bother him as they were there as dog’s bodies to carry the meat back to the ship. His job was shoot as many goats as he could. Now we have a problem. The look out on the ship down bellow has sited three Spanish ships on the horizon and has made the signal for all men on shore to return to the ship. The sailors wandering along behind Will soon realise they must return and seeing the ships from their vantagepoint understand the urgency. They fire off their muskets to warn Will.
By the time the sailors return to the beach the ship’s boats are waiting to take them off immediately and Will who has not yet returned is marooned. This is not a problem to a great hunter and trapper like Will. He soon has a nice home, fire, goatskins to keep warm and a fine vegetable patch with fresh water close by. Even after his powder and shot are gone he manages to forge fishing hooks, knives and harpoons out of his musket barrel as he has seen smiths do on his ship.
Several years later Dampier is on a navigation mission and his captain, call at the island. They see a lonely looking figure standing on the beach waving at them. Casting back their minds they remember Will being marooned here. They are worried that he may have reverted to his native ways and in anger could kill anyone that goes ashore. Dampier who knows Will and another Miskito are sent ashore to Parley. Well Will has watched the ship coming for many hours and recognising it as an English ship he has killed goats and has them cooking ready for the crew to enjoy. Miskito Will was probably the least put out of any castaway due to his skill as a hunter, gatherer and his stoic native resolve.
More tomorrow
This island was discovered by the Spanish and one, Juan Fernandez planned to breed cattle, goats and grow vegetables for passing Spanish ships. He failed and sold the island to another Spaniard with the same name and it was passed to some monks who could not make a go of it either so it eventually became a little used stopping spot for fresh water and hunting by Spanish ships. The island by now was well provided for with plenty of wild goats and acres of wild vegetables.
Miskito Will took off after a herd of wild goats. He was a great hunter and like most of his nation fleet of foot. He left the crew well behind but that did not bother him as they were there as dog’s bodies to carry the meat back to the ship. His job was shoot as many goats as he could. Now we have a problem. The look out on the ship down bellow has sited three Spanish ships on the horizon and has made the signal for all men on shore to return to the ship. The sailors wandering along behind Will soon realise they must return and seeing the ships from their vantagepoint understand the urgency. They fire off their muskets to warn Will.
By the time the sailors return to the beach the ship’s boats are waiting to take them off immediately and Will who has not yet returned is marooned. This is not a problem to a great hunter and trapper like Will. He soon has a nice home, fire, goatskins to keep warm and a fine vegetable patch with fresh water close by. Even after his powder and shot are gone he manages to forge fishing hooks, knives and harpoons out of his musket barrel as he has seen smiths do on his ship.
Several years later Dampier is on a navigation mission and his captain, call at the island. They see a lonely looking figure standing on the beach waving at them. Casting back their minds they remember Will being marooned here. They are worried that he may have reverted to his native ways and in anger could kill anyone that goes ashore. Dampier who knows Will and another Miskito are sent ashore to Parley. Well Will has watched the ship coming for many hours and recognising it as an English ship he has killed goats and has them cooking ready for the crew to enjoy. Miskito Will was probably the least put out of any castaway due to his skill as a hunter, gatherer and his stoic native resolve.
More tomorrow
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