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A NARRATIVE
OF THE
SHIPWRECK,
CAPTIVITY AND SUFFERINGS
OF
HORACE HOLDEN AND BENJ. H. NUTE;
WHO WERE CAST AWAY IN THE
AMERICAN SHIP MENTOR,
ON THE
PELEW ISLANDS,
IN THE YEAR 1832;
_AND FOR TWO YEARS AFTERWARDS WERE SUBJECTED TO
UNHEARD OF SUFFERINGS AMONG THE BARBAROUS
INHABITANTS OF_
LORD NORTH'S ISLAND.
BY HORACE HOLDEN.
BOSTON:
RUSSELL, SHATTUCK, AND CO.
1836.
ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR 1836,
BY HORACE HOLDEN.
IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS.
STEREOTYPED BY
SHEPARD, OLIVER, AND CO.
TO
JOHN PICKERING, ESQ.
Of Boston,
AND TO
WILLIAM R. RODMAN, ESQ.
Of New Bedford,
To whom the author is under the greatest obligations
for their countenance and assistance,
this little work is gratefully
INSCRIBED
[Illustration: DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS OF TATTOOING.]
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 deg. 2-3/4' N., and, according to the most correct
calculations, about long. 131 deg. 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 ships passing 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 passing 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 gratitude 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 passage from Canton to New
York in his ship 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 passage
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"
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Equipment and departure of the ship Mentor from the port of New
Bedford, Massachusetts.--The ship's company.--Arrival at
Fayal.--Passage 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 ship
strikes on a coral reef off the Pelew islands.--Alarm and distressing
situation of the ship's company, and sudden loss of eleven of their
number.--The survivors preserved upon a dry part of the reef
13
CHAPTER II.
The situation of the survivors of the ship'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 ship.--Several canoes arrive.--Mr. Nute's resolute
conduct towards the natives.--The ship's company pursue their course,
in their boat, towards an island, on which they land after severe
suffering
29
CHAPTER III.
A canoe, with two natives, approaches the island.--Communication
opened with them.--A great number of canoes, filled with armed
natives, suddenly arrive; rough treatment of the captain by one of
the chiefs.--They all arrive at the harbor of the island, which
proved to be one of the Pelew islands.--Description of the island and
its inhabitants.--Consultation of the chiefs respecting the ship's
company.--Result of the consultation
41
CHAPTER IV.
An extraordinary and unexpected meeting with a person not a
native.--Happy result of the meeting.--Acquisition of the Pelew
language.--Dissensions between two portions of the natives.--Three of
the ship's company separated and carried to a place remote from
the rest.--Attempt to construct a boat, in order to leave
the island.--The natives agree to release them all for a
compensation.--Solemnities observed by the natives on the
occasion.--Tools used in making the boat; transportation of timber,
&c.--The plan abandoned, and a canoe substituted for the
boat.--Another festival
55
CHAPTER V.
The natives become anxious to aid the ship's company in leaving the
island.--Terms on which they agreed to release them.--Departure from
the Pelew islands.--Necessity of returning the same night.--Detention
a month longer; and final departure
68
CHAPTER VI.
Regret at having undertaken the voyage in boats.--Storm, and damage
in consequence of it.--Loss of the canoe and the provisions on
board.--Danger of perishing from famine.--On the fifteenth day, when
nearly exhausted with fatigue and hunger, they discover a small
island.--Approach of eighteen canoes filled with natives, who make
prisoners of them all.--Cruelty of the natives; and return with their
prisoners to the island.--Reception there.--The prisoners
distributed among the captors
74
CHAPTER VII.
The island, to which they were carried, proves to be Lord North's
island, called by the natives _To'bee_.--Account of the island and
its inhabitants.--Their manners and customs
81
CHAPTER VIII.
A ship discovered at a small distance from the island.--The natives
prepare to go on board of her.--Captain Barnard and Bartlet Rollins,
after being severely beaten, are allowed to go with the natives in
their canoes, and thus effect their escape; the rest of the Mentor's
people are still forcibly detained on the island.--Their hopes of
being taken on board of the same ship are suddenly blasted.--Their
despondency on that disappointment.--Return of the natives from the
ship; their rage, and quarrels about the division of the articles
procured on board of her.--They threaten to wreak their vengeance on
the Mentor's people that remained with them.--Their cruel treatment
of them.--A storm destroys the cocoa-nut trees and causes a scarcity
of food
95
CHAPTER IX.
The natives compel the Mentor's people to be tattooed.--Description
of that painful operation.--They also oblige them to pluck their
beards, &c.--Another vessel passes by the island; and, afterwards, a
third comes in sight and remains for three days; the Mentor's people
are closely guarded at these times.--The melancholy fate of William
Sedon; and the barbarous murder of Peter Andrews.--Attack on H.
Holden, who is protected by one of the natives, and escapes.--B. Nute
and others are protected by the female natives from the fury of the
men.--Death of one of the Pelew chiefs.--Another of the Pelew people
is detected in stealing, and is punished in their manner.--Death of
Milton Hewlet and Charles C. Bouket; leaving now only B. Nute, H.
Holden, and the other Pelew chief, named _Kobak_, who all remained in
a feeble and helpless condition.--Filthy practices of the
natives.--Friendship of the surviving Pelew chief
101
CHAPTER X.
The feeble and exhausted condition of the survivors, Nute and
Holden.--The natives consent to release them from labor, but refuse
them food; and they obtain permission to leave the island in the
first vessel, for a compensation to be made to the natives.--They
crawl about from place to place, subsisting upon leaves, and
occasionally begging a little food of the natives, for two
months.--Their sudden joy at hearing of a vessel coming towards the
island.--It proves to be the British barque Britannia, captain Short,
bound to Canton.--They are taken on board the Britannia, November 27,
1834, and treated with the kindest attention.--Their joy and
gratitude at this happy termination of their sufferings.--They
gradually recover their health so far as to take passage for America,
in the ship Morrison, bound for New York, where they arrive May 5,
1835.--Acknowledgments for their kind reception at New York and
Boston
111
NARRATIVE, &c.
CHAPTER I.
Equipment and departure of the ship Mentor from the port of New
Bedford, Massachusetts.--The ship's company.--Arrival at
Fayal.--Passage 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
ship strikes on a coral reef off the Pelew islands.--Alarm and
distressing situation of the ship'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 Hampshire,
on the 21st of July, 1810. My father's name was Phineas Holden. My
parents were in moderate circumstances, 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 hardship, 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
constitution, 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
ship Mentor, at the port of New Bedford, Massachusetts, for a whaling
voyage to the Indian ocean. The ship 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 ship'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 quantity 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 passed 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, passing
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 pass 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 principal of the Moluccas or Spice islands; but
we passed 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 ship 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 ship ran directly upon the rocks, and
struck three times in quick succession, the waves dashing over and
around us with tremendous violence.
At this awful moment I was in my berth, in the steerage. When the ship
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 ship, 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 ship 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 ship 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
ship, 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 shipmates 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 ship. 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 ship, 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 constituted a part of the fishing 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 circumstances of
consolation; for, admitting that they thus met their fate, they were
saved from that extremity of suffering which some of the ship's crew
were destined to experience. Were such a death, or the pains of
captivity endured by my associates 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 ship 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 ship 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 assist 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 ship, 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
assisted 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
quantity 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 lashing. 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 ship. Bouket, being an expert swimmer, on finding
himself in the sea, swam round to the leeward side of the ship, 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 assistance, 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 quantity of wearing apparel, a canister of
gunpowder, one musket, a brace of pistols, three cutlasses, 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 ship; not without feelings of deep sorrow, and with
small hopes of improving our forlorn condition.
On leaving the ship 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 passage 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.