A Dutch Castaway on Ascension Island in 1725

by Alex Ritsema

On 5 May 1725 a Dutch ship’s officer, Leendert Hasenbosch, was set ashore on the desert island of Ascension in the South Atlantic Ocean, as a punishment for sodomy. He tried to survive on turtles and birds but found very little water on the barren island. He wrote a diary. He probably died after about half a year. In January 1726 British mariners found his tent, diary and other things and brought the diary to England. In 1726 a first English version of the diary of the Dutch castaway was published. Other versions followed in 1728, 1730 and 1976. Who was the castaway? The truth was disclosed by the Dutch historian Michiel Koolbergen (1953-2002), in a posthumously published book in Dutch. With the support of Michiel Koolbergen’s family and publisher, this new book discloses the truth in English. This book is the second edition, with some improvements compared to the original edition of 2006. This book is illustrated with line drawings, both historic ones and by the Dutch artist Anneke de Vries.

Genres: History

180 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

Reviews

[Bri Fidelity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously, my favourite parts are the hallucinations:

16th June 1725

To no purpose looked for Ships; and in the Night was surprised by a Noise round my Tent of Cursing and Swearing, and the most blasphemous Conversations that I ever heard. My Concern was so great, that I thought I should have died with the Fright. I did nothing but offer up my Prayers to the Almighty to protect me in this miserable Circumstance; but my fright rendered me in a very Condition of praying, I trembling to that degree, that I could not compose my Thoughts and any body would have believed that the Devil had moved his Quarters, and was coming to keep Hell on Ascension. I was certain that there was no human Creature on the Island but myself, having not seen the Footsteps of any man but my own; and so much libidinous Talk was impossible to be expressed by any body but Devils. And to my greater Surprise I was certain that I was very well acquainted with one of the Voiced, it bearing an affinity of an intimate Acquaintance of mine; and I really thought that I was sometimes touched by an invisible Spirit. I made my application to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost for forgiveness of my Sins, and that they would protect me from these evil Spirits. It was three a Clock in the Morning before they ceased tormenting me, and then being very weary, I fell to sleep. In the Morning I awoke about seven a-clock and returned God Almighty my hearty and sincere Thanks for his last Night's Protection of me, but still heard some Shrieks near my Tent, but could see nothing. I took my Prayer Book, and read the Prayers proper for a Man in my Condition, and at the same time heard a Voice, crying, Bouger*. I can't afford paper enough to set down every particular of this unhappy Day.

17th June 1725

I fetched home two Buckets of Water and dreaded Night's coming on, and interceded with God Almighty that I might not be troubled again with those evil Spirits; and I hope God Almighty heard my Prayers, for I was not perplexed with them this Night.

Before I came upon this miserable island, I was of the Protestant religion, and used to laugh at the Romans when they talked to me of Apparitions; but to my great Sorrow now find smarting Reasons to the contrary, and shall henceforth embrace their Opinions.

This Day an Apparition appeared to me in the similitude of a Man, whom I perfectly knew; he conversed with me like a Human Creature, and touched me so sensibly of the Sins of my past Life (of which I have a sincere and hearty Repentance) and was such a terrible Shock to me, that I wished it would kill me.

The rest of it is a bit too real for me. Poor old Leendert. I can only hope that when my time comes, my last posts don't read something like:

8th October 1725

Drank my own Urine, and ate raw Flesh.

9th October to 14th October 1725

All as before.

* 'The modern spelling for "bouger" is "bugger".'

[Ai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using my national library card for the first time, I read this book in the main reading room in one sitting in an hour. I first went to a play that morning called Ascension (named after the island) and purchased the book right after the play ended. It's comical actually, the way I was attracted to the synopsis of the play from one of the many flyers I was handed out at the street and then was taught of one of the many centuries age queer struggles taking place in the Netherlands.

This book is about Leendert's diary after his exile at the Ascension Island for homosexuality. It was harrowing and distressing. The diary entries are presented in a way that instantly connects readers to Leendert's pain. There is also some chapters about the VOC's background that to me, was very helpful in understanding the context. I also appreciate Ritsema's research in ensuring the accuracy of the factual proofs in the book as well as prompting the reader to be critical and sceptical of historical accounts. I'm glad I bought this book and I think it's one that I can see myself rereading in the future.

[brittany ఇ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I encountered the need to exert deliberate effort in delving deeper into the book as my focal point was undeniably fixated upon the contents of the Dutchman's diary itself. While I welcomed the inclusion of illustrative elements and the cartography of Ascension Island, my interest of its geographical aspects remained elusive. I just skimmed through those parts.