Them that die will be the lucky ones (Part 4) – The torturous trips back to England.

As we near the end of the tumultuous tale, a few people have been asking me about the title of this series. It actually comes from an old Treasure Island film and is uttered by actor John Newton as Long John Silver. It is said that all our popular opinions and indeed impressions of pirates… Continue reading Them that die will be the lucky ones (Part 4) – The torturous trips back to England.

Them that die will be the lucky ones!(Part Three) – Escape from Wager Island

At noon on the 13th October 1741, the improvised schooner, now named the Speedwell, got under sail with the cutter and barge in company. Captain David Cheap refused to go, and to the relief of the mutineers he agreed to be left behind with two marines who were earlier shunned for stealing food. The mutineers expected… Continue reading Them that die will be the lucky ones!(Part Three) – Escape from Wager Island

Them that die will be the lucky ones!(Part Two) – The HMS Wager Mutiny

If you have read my last blog post on the Voyager of HMS Wager, it might make sense to do so before ploughing on below. Wager struck rocks on the coast of a small, uninhabited island. Some of the crew broke into the spirit room and got drunk, armed themselves, and began looting, dressing up in officers’ clothes… Continue reading Them that die will be the lucky ones!(Part Two) – The HMS Wager Mutiny

Them that die will be the lucky ones! – The Voyage of HMS Wager (Part One).

Maritime history and the Royal Navy in particular is rich in tales of daring-do’s, inspeakable suffering and survival against all the odds. Whether it is Captain Bligh, Fletcher Christian and The Mutiny on The Bounty or the more recent Ernest Shackleton and the Third Man (an Angel) For every Lord Nelson Original hand-drawn battle plans by Admiral… Continue reading Them that die will be the lucky ones! – The Voyage of HMS Wager (Part One).