Lot 8
Curtis, John
Rare Books, Maps & Manuscripts
Auction: 15 January 2014 at 11:00 GMT
Description
Shipwreck of the Stirling Castle. London: George Virtue, 1838. 8vo, frontispiece, map and 6 plates, later half calf gilt, bookplate and blind-stamps of the Cruising Association, some light browning and slight spotting, occasional faint dampstaining, some minor repairs to plates, Cruising Association gilt stamps to covers and spine, rubbing
Footnote
Note: Built in 1829, the Stirling Castle was a 351-ton brig, which ran aground on 25th May 1836 at Swaines Reef, Queensland. The survivors of the wreck were captured by the local Aborigines - the captain, James Fraser, died whilst in captivity but his wife, Eliza Fraser, survived to be rescued by Lt. Charles Otter. Upon returning to England, her stories about (or based on) her experiences became popular.