Life Aboard a British Privateer

Woodes Rogers-the man who rescued 'Robinson Crusoe'

In the history of the British at sea, the names of many of its greatest men have long been familiar to almost everyone. For many, however, the name Woodes Rogers may not be foremost among them. Yet in the time of Queen Anne this master mariner, sailing from Bristol, circumnavigated the globe in a momentous two and a half year odyssey with his two ships-Duke and Duchess. He was an English privateer of some repute and was successful against the Spanish, taking several prizes in the Pacific on his epic voyage. It was he who rescued the 'real' marooned hero of Daniel Defoe's adventure Robinson Crusoe-Alexander Selkirk-from Juan Fernandez Island and promptly made him captain of one of his own prize ships the Increase. This astonishing man went on to be the first Royal Governor of the Bahamas, held the post twice, beat off Spanish attempts to gain influence in the region and substantially cleared the Caribbean seas of pirates. This fascinating book combines the research of historian Robert Leslie with Woodes Rogers own journals to make a vital account of an extraordinary mariner from the great age of sail. Through its pages the reader may trace Rogers' career and voyages of the early eighteenth century which inevitably are full of incident and interest. Available in softcover and hardcover with dust jacket.