Join Dan Snow as he discusses the HMS Wager shipwreck with David Grann, exploring mutiny, survival, and moral dilemmas faced by the crew. Delve into the challenges of leadership, psychological deterioration, and loyalty in the face of harsh conditions.
Leadership struggles emerged among the survivors of HMS Wager, leading to a mutiny against Captain Cheap's authority.
Survivors faced extreme hardships and brutal realities, enduring separate journeys and reunifying on Wager Island.
A court martial acquitted all major figures involved in the conflict, with only minor consequences for one lieutenant.
Deep dives
Survivors of HMS Wager Arrive in Brazil
A group of survivors from the wreck of the HMS Wager, including John Bulkley, arrive in Brazil after an arduous journey in an open boat, covering over 2,000 miles. With only 30 men out of the original 81 surviving, they reach the coast of Brazil after 15 weeks of unimaginable hardships. These survivors proclaimed themselves as remnants of the HMS Wager, having endured harrowing conditions and numerous deaths along the way.
John Bulkley's Leadership and Mutinous Actions
John Bulkley emerges as a prominent figure among the survivors, displaying leadership qualities and orchestrating a mutiny against Captain Cheap's authority. Bulkley's group refuses to head north towards the British fleet, opting instead to sail towards the Strait of Magellan for England, setting the stage for a conflict of leadership aboard the vessel. The mutinous actions and divisions amongst the crew escalate, leading to arrests and clashes between Bulkley's supporters and Captain Cheap.
Captain Cheap's Perilous Journey
Captain Cheap, along with a group of men, embarks on a precarious journey north in open boats, facing challenges of starvation, treacherous weather conditions, and deadly accidents. Forced to abandon marines ashore and battle against overwhelming odds, Cheap's group encounters extreme hardships during their voyage, witnessing deaths and facing the brutal realities of survival in their dire circumstances.
Survivors from Separate Groups Reunite
After enduring separate journeys, the survivors from Bulkley's group and Captain Cheap's expedition reunite on Wager Island, marking a moment of both relief and desperation. Following failed attempts to navigate, return to the fleet, and survive in open boats, the survivors find themselves back at the island, faced with the harsh reality of their situation and dwindling options for rescue.
Mutiny and Court Martial Aftermath
Following the RMS Wager's loss, a court martial convenes to investigate the sinking, with all major figures present, including Bulkley, Cheap, and the participants in the conflict. Despite the tensions and complexities within the crew, all individuals are acquitted, with Minor Reprimand being the only consequence for one lieutenant. The aftermath sees diverging paths for the survivors, ranging from continued naval service to emigration, marking the end of a harrowing chapter in their lives.
Join Dan as he narrates the harrowing story of the HMS Wager and its crew's descent into mutiny and survival against all odds. Set against the backdrop of the War of Jenkins' Ear, the Wager, a British warship, was part of a secret squadron sent to attack Spanish holdings in the Pacific but, tragedy struck as the ship was wrecked off the desolate coast of Patagonia during a storm in 1741.
With expert testimony from David Grann, the author of the best-selling HMS Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, this episode delves into the ensuing struggle for leadership as the survivors split into factions, the deterioration of their psychological state due to the appalling conditions and the moral quandaries of mutiny and loyalty the men faced as they clung to life.
Written by Dan Snow and edited by Dougal Patmore.
Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code DANSNOW sign up at https://historyhit/subscription/
We'd love to hear from you- what do you want to hear an episode on? You can email the podcast at ds.hh@historyhit.com.
