Printed on the Island of Nantucket, from which port William S. Carysailed on the "Oeno" in 1824.
Experience of a Nantucket man a Century Ago, Who was Sole Survivor ofWhaleship "Oeno" and Lived for Nine Years Among Cannibals of South SeaIslands.
One of the true tales left to posterity by the hardy men of Nantucketwho went to the far corners of the earth in search of whales.
The Inquirer and Mirror Press
Nantucket, Mass.
1949
| I. | The Wreck of the "Oeno" |
| II. | Massacre of the Crew |
| III. | Battle Among the Natives |
| IV. | Life with the Feejee Islanders |
| V. | Trading with "Beche de mer" |
| VI. | Cary Makes Trip to Manila |
| VII. | The Return to Nantucket |
This thrilling tale was compiled from the log-book of William S. Cary,of Nantucket, the sole survivor of the crew of ship "Oeno", which waswrecked on Turtle Island, in the Pacific Ocean, on the 5th of April,1825. It was first published in the Nantucket Journal in 1887, ininstallments, Cary's journal of his experiences having been discoveredin one of the fish-houses below 'Sconset bank a few years before.
"The Wreck of the Oeno" is a personal description of the loss of aNantucket whaleship, the capture and massacre of all but one of thecrew, and the incidents of the life of the survivor among the cannibalsof the South Sea Islands.
The ship "Oeno" was owned by Aaron Mitchell, of Nantucket, and wascommanded by Capt. Samuel Riddell. She sailed from this island early inNovember, 1824, and as was usual in those days on account of the barat the mouth of Nantucket harbor, went over to Edgartown to load forsea. The ship then proceeded, via the Cape of Good Hope, to the Bay ofIslands. That was the last heard of her for nearly six years, and itwas thought she had been lost at sea with all on board.
In 1830, however, the owner at Nantucket received a letter from WilliamS. Cary, one of the crew, bringing the startling information that theship had been lost on Turtle Island and that all of the crew had beenmassacred by the natives with the exception of himself, and that he wasthen living among the islanders.
The "Oeno's" crew consisted of Samuel Riddell, master; WilliamShaw, mate; —— Drew, second mate; three boatsteerers, a cooper, acarpenter, a cook, and a dozen foremast hands.
Cary's "log" of his experiences is a most graphic description of lifeamong the Feejee Islanders. His capture and adoption by the king of thetribe, the life and customs of the natives, his escape and return home,are all touched upon in detail, the whole story forming one of the mostthrilling tales of the sea ever printed. And the best part of the storyis that it is true.
Harry B. Turner.
Nantucket, Mass., May 1, 1928.