A Narrative of the Shipwreck, Captivity and Sufferings of Horace Holden and Benj. H. Nute Part 1

A Narrative of the s.h.i.+pwreck, Captivity and Sufferings of Horace Holden and Benj. H. Nute.

by Horace Holden.

PREFACE.

The islands now known by geographers under the general name of _Polynesia_, have for some time past attracted the attention of the scientific and commercial world. Few opportunities, however, occur of obtaining information respecting any of them except those which are resorted to for commercial purposes. With a view, therefore, to the collecting of all the necessary materials for the history of their soil, climate, productions, and other particulars, especially of such of them as have not already been visited by the civilized people of Europe and America, it is desirable to preserve all authentic accounts of them, even of those which are of inferior importance.

The following unpretending Narrative contains such an account of one of them, commonly called _Lord North's Island_, but sometimes known by the name of _Nevil's Island_ and _Johnston's Island_. It is situated in about lat. 3 2-3/4' N., and, according to the most correct calculations, about long. 131 4-1/4' E.

This island has been stated, in geographical works of authority, to be uninhabited; but Horsburg's India Directory (vol. ii. p. 497, edit. of 1827) correctly says it is inhabited, and that the natives "will sometimes come off to s.h.i.+ps pa.s.sing near." And it will accordingly be found, by the present Narrative, that it has a population of between three and four hundred inhabitants, as nearly as could be estimated by the American seamen, whose captivity and sufferings are the subject of this work; the island itself being, according to their judgment also, about three quarters of a mile long and half a mile in breadth.

The materials of this Narrative were furnished by Horace Holden, one of the seamen above mentioned, who, with his companion, Benjamin Nute, was detained as a captive by the islanders for two years; during which time he and his companion acquired the language so far as to converse in it with ease. This afforded them the means of knowing and observing many things which would escape the mere pa.s.sing voyager; and whatever statements are here made, the editor has every reason to believe may be entirely relied upon.

In order to complete the little collection of facts in relation to this people--who may justly be called a new people, as no white man has ever before been upon their territory--a specimen of their language is added to the Narrative. This has been made under many disadvantages; but no small labor has been bestowed upon it, in order to render it of use, so far as was practicable, in elucidating the affinity of these islanders to others in that quarter of the world. It is now universally agreed among the learned, that language affords the surest test of the affinities of nations; and it is greatly to be desired that more attention should be bestowed upon this subject by the intelligent navigators of the United States, and especially by the scientific young men of our navy, who, under the permission of the government, would have the most ample means of augmenting the stores of general science, while at the same time they would confer honor upon their country.

The editor forbears to add any thing further in relation to the contents of this little volume. But he cannot dismiss the work without again expressing the high sense of grat.i.tude felt by the two seamen in question, to the benevolent individuals of their own country, and others, who have relieved their sufferings; and this he subjoins in an extract from a note on that subject by H. Holden:--

"In addition to the gentlemen mentioned in the Narrative, we are under great obligations to Mr. Stephen Oliphant and his son, and their clerk, of New York, who were residents at Canton when we arrived there. Mr. Oliphant kindly furnished us with a room, food, and other necessaries, and gave us our pa.s.sage from Canton to New York in his s.h.i.+p called the Morrison, commanded by captain Lavender, from whom also we experienced every attention.

"The respected American missionary at Canton, Mr. Edwin Stevens, rendered us many friendly services; and from the English physician, who was formerly in the East India Company's service there, but whose name I do not recollect, we received every attention and medical aid that could have been bestowed on his nearest friends.

"We are also much indebted to Mr. Bradford and Mr. Robert E.

Apthorp, both of Boston, for their many acts of kindness. To the latter gentleman, then a resident at Canton, I cannot sufficiently express my obligations; he interested himself much in obtaining money, clothing, and other necessaries for us, to make our situation comfortable during our stay in Canton and on our pa.s.sage home.

"To the many friends whom we have found since our return to our own country we can never be sufficiently grateful. Among these I cannot omit to mention Mr. J. N. Reynolds, author of the interesting Account of the Voyage of the Potomac, who has taken the most lively interest in our case, and Mr. Joseph P. Bradley, of Boston, to whose untiring zeal and benevolence I feel myself to be indebted more than I am able to express.

HORACE HOLDEN"

NARRATIVE, &c.

CHAPTER I.

Equipment and departure of the s.h.i.+p Mentor from the port of New Bedford, Ma.s.sachusetts.--The s.h.i.+p's company.--Arrival at Fayal.--Pa.s.sage down the Cape de Verd islands, and round the cape of Good Hope, to the Indian ocean.--Cruising among the islands, and arrival at the port of Coupang, in Timor.--A violent storm.--The s.h.i.+p strikes on a coral reef off the Pelew islands.--Alarm and distressing situation of the s.h.i.+p's company, and sudden loss of eleven of their number.--The survivors preserved upon a dry part of the reef.

I was born in the town of Hillsborough, in the state of New Hamps.h.i.+re, on the 21st of July, 1810. My father's name was Phineas Holden. My parents were in moderate circ.u.mstances, and derived their chief support from a small farm. From the time to which my earliest recollections extend, until I was about ten years of age, our little circle, consisting of our parents, their three sons and two daughters, enjoyed a large share of the pleasures of a New England home. We were all accustomed to labor, but our exertions to secure a respectable maintenance were richly rewarded by each other's approving smiles, and by that contentment, without which blessings, however great or numerous, are bestowed upon us in vain.

But, in early life, and in the midst of our enjoyments, we were called upon to experience a loss which nothing on earth can supply. My father, after a painful sickness of long continuance, died, and left us with no other earthly protector than our affectionate mother; who, had her ability and means been adequate to our support, or equal to her maternal fondness and anxiety, would have saved us from every hards.h.i.+p, and supplied all our reasonable desires. But, having no means of support except our own industry, we were at that tender age thrown upon the world, and compelled to provide for ourselves as Providence might best enable us. I labored at different occupations until the age of twenty-one; when, finding myself unable, by reason of an impaired const.i.tution, to do more than provide for myself, and feeling desirous to contribute my share towards the maintenance of our surviving parent, I resolved upon making the experiment of a voyage at sea.

I accordingly left the place of my nativity, sundered the many ties that bound me to home and friends, and, in July, 1831, entered on board the s.h.i.+p Mentor, at the port of New Bedford, Ma.s.sachusetts, for a whaling voyage to the Indian ocean. The s.h.i.+p was owned by William R. Rodman, Esquire, an eminent merchant of that place, to whose benevolence, since my return home, I acknowledge myself to be deeply indebted. We sailed on the day of my enlistment; and I soon found myself upon the bosom of the great deep, and at the mercy of an element to which I had been but little accustomed.

The whole s.h.i.+p's company of the Mentor consisted of twenty-two; namely, Edward C. Barnard, captain; Thomas M. Colesworthy, first mate; Peter O'Connor, second mate; Benjamin F. Haskell, David Jenkins, and Jacob Fisher, boat-steerers; Peter Andrews, steward; John Mayo, cook; and Horatio Davis, Bartlet Rollins, William Jones, Thomas Taylor, Lewis Bergoin, Charles C. Bouket, Calvin Alden, Milton Hulet, William Sedon, James Meder, James Blackmore, John Baily, Benjamin H. Nute, (my companion in suffering,) and myself, seamen.

After leaving port, nothing remarkable occurred during the first part of our voyage. Having succeeded in obtaining a small quant.i.ty of oil, we touched at Fayal, one of the Azores, or Western islands, to leave the oil and replenish our stores. We left Fayal on the following day. Our course was down the Cape de Verd islands; and, without any accident worth relating, we pa.s.sed round the cape of Good Hope, through the straits of Madagascar, and found ourselves in the Indian ocean.

We continued to cruise among the small islands for some time; but being unsuccessful in the object of our voyage, it was deemed advisable to make for Java. We ran the whole length of the island of Java, pa.s.sing through the straits of Sandal-Wood Island, to the island of Timor, and touched at the port of Coupang, where we remained about five days, took in wood and water, and replenished our small stores. After leaving that place we attempted to pa.s.s through the straits of Timor, with a view of gaining the Pacific ocean; but owing to adverse winds, and the strong currents setting against us, we were compelled to abandon the undertaking; and accordingly altered our course. We intended to have touched at Ternate, the princ.i.p.al of the Moluccas or Spice islands; but we pa.s.sed it, running down the island of Morty, (or Mortay) to its furthermost point. Seeing no port at which we could stop, we altered our course, intending to make for some of the Ladrone islands, which we knew to be in possession of the Spanish.

I must here observe, that soon after leaving the island of Mortay, there came on a violent storm, which lasted the whole of three days and nights. During all this time we were unable to take an observation. This led to the melancholy disaster, which was the commencement of misfortunes and sufferings, too great to be adequately conceived of by any but those who experienced them. The violence of the storm compelled us to take in all the sails except the top-sail, (which was close reefed,) foresail, and foretop-mast stay-sail.

We were sailing in this manner, not apprehending danger, when, about eleven o'clock at night, on the 21st of May, 1832, just at the time of relieving the watch, the s.h.i.+p struck with great violence upon what we afterwards found to be the coral reef extending to the northward and eastward of the Pelew islands. The s.h.i.+p ran directly upon the rocks, and struck three times in quick succession, the waves das.h.i.+ng over and around us with tremendous violence.

At this awful moment I was in my berth, in the steerage. When the s.h.i.+p struck the third time, so great was the shock that I was thrown from my berth against the opposite side of the steerage; but, soon recovering myself, I rushed upon deck. There all was confusion, horror and dismay.

The s.h.i.+p, immediately after striking the third time, swung round so as to bring her starboard side to the windward, and was in a moment thrown upon her beam ends. While in this awful condition, with the waves continually breaking over us, threatening to overwhelm us in a watery grave, or dash us in pieces against the rocks, the captain came upon deck, and inquired of the second mate, "Where are we?" The reply was, "I don't know, but I think there is land to leeward." There was no time for deliberation; it seemed that the immediate destruction of the s.h.i.+p was inevitable.

In the midst of this confusion I heard the mate give orders for lowering the larboard quarter boat. His directions were immediately complied with, and ten of the crew threw themselves into it, thinking it more safe thus to commit themselves to the mercy of the waves, than to remain on board with the prospect of a certain and speedy termination of their existence. But there are reasons which force upon the mind the painful conviction, that their departure from the s.h.i.+p at that time proved fatal to them all. As the oars were fastened to the sides of the boat, some one asked for a knife or hatchet, with which to cut them loose. The request was complied with; and, quitting their hold upon the s.h.i.+p, they parted from us, and we never saw them more!

As some doubts have existed in the minds of those interested in the fate of our s.h.i.+pmates who took to the boat in the manner just described, it is deemed advisable here to state my reasons for entertaining the opinion above expressed. Far would it be from me to desire to extinguish any well-founded hopes of their having survived; but a knowledge of the following facts renders it too certain, that they must all have perished, soon after their departure from the s.h.i.+p. The next morning the remains of a boat in every respect similar to that in which they embarked, were distinctly seen on the rocks, at the distance of about fifty yards from the s.h.i.+p, bottom up, and with her sides stove in. The water being clear and shallow, we could see that she was held there by a harpoon and lance, which const.i.tuted a part of the fis.h.i.+ng implements, or crafts, in the boat when she left. These were apparently stuck into the crevices of the coral rock (of which the whole reef is composed) either by accident or design; and the presumption is, that she became fast in that place, and that the waves swept that portion of our companions in suffering into a watery grave. But this, though a melancholy subject of reflection, is not without some circ.u.mstances of consolation; for, admitting that they thus met their fate, they were saved from that extremity of suffering which some of the s.h.i.+p's crew were destined to experience. Were such a death, or the pains of captivity endured by my a.s.sociates and myself, to be the only alternatives, I have doubted whether I should not prefer the former. To be far from kindred and friends, among a people but one grade above the most ferocious beasts, sick at heart, and deprived of necessary food, stripped of our clothing, and subjected to unheard-of severities,--to endure all this, was to purchase a continuance of life at a dear rate.

Soon after the departure of the first boat, the captain, thinking it impossible for the s.h.i.+p to hold together till morning, ordered his own boat to be let down. This could be effected only by the united exertions of the whole of the remaining part of the crew. Some of the men, and myself among the rest, had resolved upon remaining on the s.h.i.+p to the last; and, considering it impossible for a boat to live, we earnestly expostulated with the captain, for the purpose of persuading him not to hazard the experiment. But he seemed to think it best to make it, and with great earnestness entreated the men to a.s.sist him in lowering his boat. As this was a time when but little attention could be paid to the distinctions usually kept up on board, I suggested that it might be well to cut away the masts, believing that this would relieve the s.h.i.+p, and cause her to lie easier upon the rock. This was the more necessary on account of her position being such as to render it next to impossible to let down the boat. The proposal was acceded to; and, seizing an axe, I a.s.sisted in cutting away the masts and rigging. This, to some extent, had the desired effect; and we were enabled, at length, by great exertion, to lower the boat. The captain, Charles C. Bouket, William Sedon, and William Jones, immediately placed themselves in it, and commenced preparing to leave us. In compliance with his request, a rope was fastened round the waist of the captain, so that should the boat be destroyed, as there was reason to apprehend she would be, there might be some chance of rescuing him from the waves. They were furnished with the necessary nautical instruments, log-book, a bag of clothing, a small quant.i.ty of bread in a tin tureen, and a keg of water. The boat was at this time suspended by her falls, and, with a view of letting themselves down, the captain stood in the stern, and Bouket in the forward part of the boat, both having hold of the falls. Sedon still held on by the boat's las.h.i.+ng. Jones had nothing in his hands. At this conjuncture, a tremendous sea broke into the boat, and dashed it in pieces;--so entire was the destruction, that not a fragment was afterwards seen. Jones was soon after seen floating in the water apparently dead. Sedon, in consequence of having hold of the boat's fastenings, saved himself by climbing into the s.h.i.+p. Bouket, being an expert swimmer, on finding himself in the sea, swam round to the leeward side of the s.h.i.+p, caught hold of some part of the rigging, and thus escaped. The captain was drifted away to the distance of nearly one hundred and fifty yards. It was with the utmost difficulty that we retained our hold on the rope which had been fastened to him; but at length we succeeded in drawing him in. On hearing his cries for a.s.sistance, forgetting our own danger, we redoubled our exertions, and soon drew him on board. He was much exhausted, but fortunately had received no fatal injury.

After the failure of this attempt, and having in so short a time lost one half our number, it was agreed upon, after due consultation to remain upon the wreck till daylight should reveal to us more fully our situation. In this state of suspense and suffering, we clung to the rigging, and with much difficulty kept ourselves from being washed away.

Our situation and prospects during that awful night were such, that no ray of hope was permitted to penetrate the dreary prospect around us; our thoughts and feelings, wrought up to the highest degree of excitement by the horrors of our situation, continually visited the homes we had quitted,--probably forever,--and offered up prayers for the dear friends we had left behind. Every succeeding wave that dashed over us threatened to sweep us into an untried eternity; and while we impatiently awaited approaching day, we committed our spirits to Him who alone could control the raging elements.

At daybreak, we discovered that a part of the reef, apparently about three miles off to the leeward, was dry; and this, though but of small consequence, afforded us some comfort. In a short time we discovered land at the distance of twenty or thirty miles, in an eastwardly direction. This, though we were ignorant of the character of the inhabitants--if indeed it should turn out to be the residence of human beings--presented to our minds the possibility of escape; and without any delay we prepared, as well as we could, to abandon the vessel. There remained but one boat, and that was in a poor condition for conveying us, eleven in number, so great a distance. But, as no choice was left us, the boat was soon prepared; and when the sun was about two hours high, we had completed our arrangements. We took into the boat one small chest of bread, some water, a quant.i.ty of wearing apparel, a canister of gunpowder, one musket, a brace of pistols, three cutla.s.ses, and a tinder-box. In this frail bark, and with these poor means of subsistence and defence, with little to rely upon but the mercy of Providence, we took leave of the s.h.i.+p; not without feelings of deep sorrow, and with small hopes of improving our forlorn condition.

On leaving the s.h.i.+p we steered directly for the reef above mentioned, and without much difficulty landed and drew up our boat. This proved to be, as we had previously conjectured, a part of the reef upon which we had been wrecked; and we soon ascertained that the portion of the rock above water was but about sixteen rods long, and quite narrow, but sufficiently large to afford us a secure footing for the little time we had to stay upon it. It was our first, and almost our only object, to remain here until we could render our arrangements more perfect, and either put to sea with less hazard, or make our pa.s.sage to the land, which was still distinctly visible. As yet but little time had been afforded us for calm reflection; and it was now a question of serious importance, whether it would be most prudent to encounter the billows in the crazy boat which was our chief dependence, upon the open sea, with our scanty means of subsistence, or to throw ourselves into the hands, and upon the mercy of whatever race of beings might chance to inhabit the island. In favor of the former plan it was suggested that we might be seen, and taken up by some vessel cruising in those seas, and thus saved from captivity or death among a barbarous people; and, on the other hand, it was maintained, that a chance among the savages of those islands would be preferable to the risk of going to sea in a boat which was in all respects unseaworthy, and with only a few pounds of bread, and but little water, for our subsistence.

CHAPTER II.

The situation of the survivors of the s.h.i.+p's company upon the reef during the night.--A canoe filled with savage natives approaches the reef; intercourse with them; and description of their persons and terrific appearance.--Their pilfering of the articles saved, and plundering of the s.h.i.+p.--Several canoes arrive.--Mr. Nute's resolute conduct towards the natives.--The s.h.i.+p's company pursue their course, in their boat, towards an island, on which they land after severe suffering.

Happily, by the goodness of the allwise Disposer of events, the unfortunate can avail themselves of a thousand sources of comfort, which, by those in prosperous circ.u.mstances, are either overlooked or neglected. We were upon a barren rock, in the midst of a waste of waters, far from kindred and friends, and the abodes of civilized man; the s.h.i.+p which had been our home, and on board of which we had embarked with high hopes, lay within sight, a useless wreck; still we were enabled to enjoy a moment of relief, if not of actual pleasure, derived from an event, which, though trifling in itself, is worthy of being recorded.

We succeeded in taking an eel, a few crabs, and a small quant.i.ty of snails. Having our fire-works with us, we collected a sufficient number of sticks, with a few pieces of drift-wood which had lodged upon the rock, to make a fire; with this we cooked our fish and snails; and, with a small allowance of bread, we made what we then thought a sumptuous repast! After we had finished our meal, we began to prepare for the night. We erected a tent with some of our clothes and pieces of canvas, at a little distance from the boat; and, when night came on, a part of our number kept watch, and the rest soon lost all consciousness of their misfortunes in sleep. About midnight those who had watched took their turn at resting; and in the morning we found ourselves considerably refreshed; though an increased activity of our minds served only to bring home a more vivid picture of the horrors of the previous night, and of our present condition.

Providence, it would seem, had ordained that we should not long remain undetermined as to the course to be adopted; for before sunrise we discovered a canoe within a short distance of us, containing twenty-two of the inhabitants of the neighboring island. They approached to within pistol-shot of where we stood, and there lay on their oars for some time, looking at us, and manifesting no small degree of fear. Thinking it best to be on friendly terms with them, we attached a s.h.i.+rt to one of our oars, and hoisted it as a token of a wish, on our part, to regard and treat them as friends. This had the desired effect; and they immediately rowed up to the rock. Manifesting great pleasure, they left their canoe and rushed towards the place where the princ.i.p.al part of our boat's crew were standing, bringing with them cocoa-nuts, and a small quant.i.ty of bread made of the cocoa-nut boiled in a liquor extracted from the trunk of the tree. At that time, I was standing near the tent, at a little distance from my companions, and was an anxious spectator of the scene. Their appearance excited my astonishment, and I was filled with horror by the sight of beings apparently human, and yet almost dest.i.tute of the ordinary marks of humanity. They were entirely naked.

Each one was armed with a spear and tomahawk; some had battle-axes. They were fantastically tattooed on different parts of their bodies. Their hair, naturally coa.r.s.e and black, like that of the Indians of America, was very long, and hung loosely over their shoulders, giving them a singular and frightful appearance. Their teeth were entirely black; rendered so, as we afterwards found, by chewing what they call "_abooak_."[1] The reader can judge of our feelings on finding ourselves in the hands of beings of this description. Our confidence in the honesty of our visiters did not improve on further acquaintance.

No sooner had they landed, than they commenced their depredations upon the few articles, which at that time const.i.tuted all our earthly riches.

The nautical instruments, the musket, and a part of our clothing, they immediately appropriated to their own benefit. Fortunately a part of our clothing, the powder, and the cutla.s.ses we had succeeded in concealing in a crevice of the rock. Taking with them their booty, they precipitately got into their canoe, and, beckoning to us, evidently with a view of inducing us to follow them, they steered directly for the wreck. Their first appearance, and this strong manifestation of their thievish disposition, so far from inclining us to cultivate their acquaintance any further, had given us an irresistible inclination to avoid them. Our minds were not long in coming to the conclusion, that an open sea, with Heaven to protect us, would be far preferable to a chance among beings like those. Accordingly, with the least possible delay, we launched our boat, and putting into it such things of value as we had saved, once more, surrounded by new difficulties and dangers, committed ourselves to the mercy of the waves.

The island before mentioned being now distinctly visible, we steered in a direction towards it; though we found it necessary to go a somewhat circuitous course, in order to avoid the reef. By the time we had succeeded in getting into deep water, the natives had been to the s.h.i.+p, and were returning with the five muskets which we had left on board.

They soon pa.s.sed us with great rapidity, and evidently with the intention of escaping with their booty unharmed. The cause of their precipitancy will soon be explained.

Just at this time there came in sight a number of canoes, perhaps thirty, filled with natives, who seemed no less intent upon plunder than those with whom we had already formed a disagreeable acquaintance. Their language was to us entirely unintelligible, but we could gather from their somewhat significant gestures, that they most of all desired to possess themselves of fire-arms. They beckoned to us to go with them, and seemed quite anxious to avail themselves of our a.s.sistance; but we were not less so to escape; and with the hope of being able to do so, we continued to row towards the island. Some of them remained near us, while the rest made for the s.h.i.+p. At length, all, except those in one canoe, left us, and joined their companions. These seemed particularly fond of our company, partly on account, as we afterwards learned, of their suspecting that we had something of value concealed about us, and partly for the purpose of making us their prisoners, and in that way gaining some advantage over the others. After a while they offered, with an appearance of friends.h.i.+p, to render us some a.s.sistance by towing our boat; and after some deliberation we concluded to throw them a line.

This greatly facilitated our progress, as their canoe, being made very light, skimmed over the water with incredible swiftness. No sooner was this arrangement completed than a chief, and one other of the natives, left their canoe and took their station with us; the chief with a somewhat offensive familiarity seating himself in the stern of the boat, near the captain. We were not long in doubt concerning the motive which had led them to this act of condescension. Our bread was contained in a small chest, which had been placed in the bottom of the boat; this seemed to have excited their curiosity to the highest pitch, as they kept their eyes almost constantly upon it, and endeavored to persuade the captain to give them a chance to examine its contents. He declined gratifying them, thinking it better to keep their anxiety alive, rather than to expose to them the comparative worthlessness of the little that remained with us, of either the comforts or necessaries of life.

Probably owing to this show of resistance on our part, when we had approached to within five or six miles of the island, at a signal given by the chief, the sail of their canoe was suddenly dropped; and, seizing our powder canister, he jumped overboard and swam to the canoe. His companion, following the example of the thievish chief, seized a bundle of clothing and was making off with it; whereupon Mr. Nute, who had not yet become entirely reconciled to the fas.h.i.+on of going without clothes, like our new acquaintances, and conceiving that it might be well to insist upon having the rights of property respected, caught hold of the bundle and retained it. Upon this they immediately hauled us alongside, and seized upon our oars; here again we had occasion to offer some resistance to their supposed right to plunder us, and we succeeded in keeping possession of these; the only remaining means of saving ourselves from premature death and a watery grave.