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Privateer - Life aboard a British Privateer in the time of Queen Anne. 1708 - 1711, Annotated, and illustrated Author's edition.
This is the extraordinary story of a Privateer, who in a voyage of three years, raided and plundered the rich Spanish territories in the New World, captured a small fleet of enemy ships, rescued the real-life Robinson Crusoe, and circumnavigated the globe.
He suffered many trials and vexations - storms, disease, mutineers and malcontents; and overcame all in a surprisingly, gentlemanly manner; caring for his officers and crew with a humane, enlightened, and almost modern approach.
He was one of the first seafarers to ship limes to protect his crew from scurvy; and in an era of brutality and neglect - where life at sea was uncompromising; he stands out as being the epitome of a daring and resourceful commander, but one who balanced risk alongside the health and well being of his men.
His name was Captain Woodes Rogers, Master Mariner, and this is the updated edition of the narrative portion of his journal.
He suffered many trials and vexations - storms, disease, mutineers and malcontents; and overcame all in a surprisingly, gentlemanly manner; caring for his officers and crew with a humane, enlightened, and almost modern approach.
He was one of the first seafarers to ship limes to protect his crew from scurvy; and in an era of brutality and neglect - where life at sea was uncompromising; he stands out as being the epitome of a daring and resourceful commander, but one who balanced risk alongside the health and well being of his men.
His name was Captain Woodes Rogers, Master Mariner, and this is the updated edition of the narrative portion of his journal.
- GenresPiratesHistoryNonfiction
67 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 1970
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 3, 2021
Easy to read account of Woodes Rogers’ voyage around the world
This book quotes heavily from Rogers’ own book as well as providing a wealth of background information. One interesting bit is a recounting of the rescue of Alexander Selkirk, whose story served as the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe.
This book quotes heavily from Rogers’ own book as well as providing a wealth of background information. One interesting bit is a recounting of the rescue of Alexander Selkirk, whose story served as the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe.
November 24, 2013
Eveniet deleniti et eius recusandae. Est incidunt fugit. Quidem numquam non fuga nihil ab dolores.
July 3, 2025
On 1 August 1708, Captain Woodes Rogers sailed out of Bristol on what would become a three-year voyage around the world. The expedition was composed of two frigates, the Duke and the Duchess, and its primary purpose was not to explore but to make money as privateers: essentially, they were government-sanctioned pirate ships that could attack countries England was at war with but not the ships of neutral or friendly countries.
The Duke and Duchess were after Spanish ships and the place to find them was the Pacific. Privateer is basically composed of extracts from the book Captain Woodes Rogers wrote of his voyage, with brief explanatory notes by the editor and, as such, it does an excellent job of bringing the world of early-18th century seamanship to life. Captain Rogers has to deal with mutinies, outbreaks of scurvy when the ships run out of limes (Rogers was unusual at the time for realising that scurvy was caused by a lack of fresh food and took limes with him on the voyage but a long period at sea led to their supplies running out), sailing further south than anyone had done before, capturing a rich Spanish prize, being shot in the mouth in the capture, enduring surgery to remove the trapped musket ball, and eventually returning home with both ships and most of his original crew. It was a personal triumph for Rogers but he probably lost money on the venture.
Perhaps the most noteworthy episode in his voyage was landing on the isolated Juan Fernandez Island to find a shipwrecked sailor, Alexander Selkirk, there. Selkirk had been marooned on the island for four years. Among the many people to read Rogers’ account of Selkirk’s rescue was Daniel Defoe, who used Selkirk as the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe.
It’s a short book but it packs a lot of incident into brief length.
The Duke and Duchess were after Spanish ships and the place to find them was the Pacific. Privateer is basically composed of extracts from the book Captain Woodes Rogers wrote of his voyage, with brief explanatory notes by the editor and, as such, it does an excellent job of bringing the world of early-18th century seamanship to life. Captain Rogers has to deal with mutinies, outbreaks of scurvy when the ships run out of limes (Rogers was unusual at the time for realising that scurvy was caused by a lack of fresh food and took limes with him on the voyage but a long period at sea led to their supplies running out), sailing further south than anyone had done before, capturing a rich Spanish prize, being shot in the mouth in the capture, enduring surgery to remove the trapped musket ball, and eventually returning home with both ships and most of his original crew. It was a personal triumph for Rogers but he probably lost money on the venture.
Perhaps the most noteworthy episode in his voyage was landing on the isolated Juan Fernandez Island to find a shipwrecked sailor, Alexander Selkirk, there. Selkirk had been marooned on the island for four years. Among the many people to read Rogers’ account of Selkirk’s rescue was Daniel Defoe, who used Selkirk as the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe.
It’s a short book but it packs a lot of incident into brief length.
February 26, 2013
Interesting read about British privateer, Woodes Rogers circumnavigation of the world between 1708 and 1711. I recommend to any history and/or sailing buffs.
January 22, 2014
A matter of fact account of a privateer cruise in the early 1700s. This book is in the same vein as 'The Cruise of the "Cachalot": Around the Word After Sperm Whales', certainly not for everyone.
October 28, 2019
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs..
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs..
October 18, 2016
An insight
Life aboard ship, a good feel for the long periods of daily grind interrupted by brief periods of action. I would have liked more depth but worth the read.
Life aboard ship, a good feel for the long periods of daily grind interrupted by brief periods of action. I would have liked more depth but worth the read.
August 28, 2018
interesting
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews