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Initial group of ships
– August 23, 1740 |
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Centurian – squadron’s flagship, heading around Cape
Horn to attack Spain, returned to England June 15, 1744 with Spanish treasure George Anson – captain Reverand Richard Walter – published book about his
account Pascoe Thomas – ship’s schoolmaster, published book
with his account Gloucester – leaking, buried at sea, April 1743 Pearl – turned back Severn – turned back Trial – abandoned April 1743 The Wager – separated from other ships David Cheap – captain after first captain, Kidd,
died Robert Baynes – lieutenant, second-in-command John Byron – midshipman, age 16 John King – boatswain Master Clark -navigator Thomas Maclean – cook John Bulkeley – gunner, kept a journal throughout
ordeal, published book based on journal Anna and Industry -cargo ships accompanying squadron,
Industry sent back after supplies gone, Anna abandoned because of leakage |
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April 10, 1741 – Wager separated from squadron May 14 – Wager hit rocks and broke apart Speedwell – ship built from parts of main ship |
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Groups of survivors returning
to England |
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March 1742 |
January 1, 1743 |
March 1746 |
July 1746 |
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Baynes – wanted to be the first to return and plant
blame elsewhere for what happened |
Bulkeley – A Voyage to the South-Seas, in the
Years 1740-1 Cummins |
David Cheap Thomas Hamilton John Byron Campbell – initially stayed behind but then returned
to England |
Isaac Morris and two others John Duck – free black man, sold into slavery upon
return Morris and 7 others had been left behind when sent
to island from Speedwell to gather supplies |
NOTE: Page
numbers are from the hardback edition.
1.
In
the author’s note at the beginning, Grann wrote “I’ve tried to present all
sides, leaving it to you to render the ultimate verdict – history’s judgement”
(page xiii). Who, if anyone, is to blame
for what happened?
2.
When
there was a shortage of trained seamen, the ships were fully staffed in a
variety of ways: “press gangs” kidnapped men on the street, cities sent their
undesirables and prisoners, and raw recruits who had never been on a ship. What did you think of this practice? Was there any alternative?
3.
John
Byron, age 16, was a midshipman on The Wager.
His sleeping space was “a glorious seven inches more room than was
allotted to ordinary seamen” (page 27).
The author commented “As on land, there was a premium on real estate,
and where you lay your head marked your place in the pecking order” (pages
27-28). Is it the same today? Does space equal privilege or status?
4.
The
author told the reader on page 29 that John Byron would become the grandfather
to poet Lord Byron. How did this
foreknowledge of John’s fate affect your reading, if at all? Why do you think the author gave you that
knowledge when he did?
5.
The
author credited this time period and sailing ships as the beginning of many
terms we use today: “toe the line, pipe down, scuttlebutt, three sheets to the
wind, and turn a blind eye” (page 35).
Were you surprised to learn this?
6.
In
the end there was no decision at the court martial hearings. “There was not even a hearing on whether any
of the men had been guilty of desertion or quarreling with a superior officer”
(page 241). Do you agree that no one was
really at fault?
7.
Why
did some men survive while others perished?
Was it good general overall health, stamina, or just luck? How do you think the survivors felt knowing
that so many others had perished?
8.
Can
we compare the seamen going to sea in the mid 1700’s for an extended period of
time to astronauts going to the space station for a long time? What about the two that were stranded for
nine months?
9.
Discuss
your reading experience. Did knowing
this was a true story make a difference to your enjoyment or your reading
method?
