The Wreck of the "Mahableshwur". Sufferings of the Crew [...] Narrative of Mr. James Hawkins, First Mate.

£750 · Offered by Maggs Bros Ltd

A rare and unlikely survivor. It appears that this was locally printed, possible as an insert to the Bombay Gazette . The ms. inscription reads: With best compliments from Capt. Cansebrook ship “Benefactress” late of her sister ship this ill-fated “Mahableshwur” Cochin, Malabar Coast Indies. We are now loading general; cargo for London will sail on the 15 (D.V.) expect to arrive on the 1st December. All’s well. 1880.“ The barque Maha Buleshwar was en route from London to Mumbai when she was wrecked at Ancutta, Laccadive Islands (now Lakshadweep) off the west coast of India. Six of the crew were rescued on August 17, by the Madura while another twelve were picked up by the steamship Ash on the 26th. The text is in two parts, the first being an account of the “Sufferings of her Crew”, which provides a dramatic overview of the event. The “Narrative of Mr. James Hawkins, First Mate” is far more granular giving extra details not only of the wreck but of the subsequent days on the two neighbouring islands and how they survived. Not catalogued separately in OCLC.

• Binding: Hardcover

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