PDF Summary:Left for Dead, by Eric Jay Dolin

During the War of 1812, the crew of the American vessel Nanina rescued British sailors shipwrecked on the Falkland Islands—only for the Nanina itself to be seized by a British warship. In Left for Dead, Eric Jay Dolin recounts this incredible saga of survival, resourcefulness, and betrayal.

The stranded sailors from the British transport ship Isabella faced harsh conditions while trying to establish a society on the desolate island. Meanwhile, the Nanina's crew aided the survivors, but was forced to abandon them after being captured by the British Navy. Dolin reconstructs the harrowing experiences of the shipwrecked men, leading up to the controversial seizure of the Nanina and the Murrays' protracted legal battle to reclaim their ship.

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The physical and mental health of those who endured rapidly deteriorated due to a critical lack of adequate shelter, warmth, and nourishment.

The sailors endured on scant supplies and salvageable items, consistently facing the peril of starvation. The crew replenished their provisions by capturing geese along with a variety of other avian species. They sometimes employed unconventional methods to obtain nourishment. Lundin and Ford encountered an abandoned cabin along their path, which Lundin deduced had previously been occupied by Spaniards. The enclosure contained the skeletal remains of equines as well as those of cattle. The room contained three sleeping platforms crafted from the hides of oxen. As dusk fell, they kindled a small fire with the remnants of wood from the structure's walls. They left, intending to return the following day accompanied by additional individuals. After a few days had passed, Lundin and Ford resolved to conduct a more thorough investigation of the location where the abandoned Spanish settlement once stood. They ultimately encountered the settlement known as Puerto Soledad. They encountered freshly harvested cabbages that were still fresh, despite the absence of any residents in the vicinity. After gathering these essentials, which included a cooking pot made of iron and several other items, they found an aged horse to carry their supplies. The journey toward Montevideo commenced with the longboat setting sail the subsequent day. Their difficulties commenced immediately beyond the estuarine border.

The Nanina having departed, the Americans established a new camp along the New Island shoreline.

They are required to hunt, forage, and build robust dwellings to withstand the harsh environment found in the Falkland Islands.

Charles Barnard, accompanied by the four hunters, decided to navigate towards Eagle Island, harboring a slim chance of locating the survivors of the shipwreck after realizing that the Nanina was missing. The crew navigated perilous seas without proper navigational instruments, braved the severe Falkland winters, and contended with limited supplies and perilous sea currents. Charles chose to revisit the western islands, drawn by the straightforward sailing routes and the abundance of pigs, which provided their preferred type of meat. They established a makeshift camp on New Island, making use of their overturned boat and a fire for protection, as they awaited more favorable weather and seized the chance to replenish their provisions. Once they had set up their new camp, safeguarding their limited resources became the men's main priority. The crew discovered that their rations were quickly depleting due to an infestation of rats that had compromised their stores, leaving them with very little to eat. They cleverly safeguarded their provisions from the pests by fashioning a three-legged stand out of oars and suspending their foodstuffs from its apex with the vessel's cord. They coated the lower sections of their oars with seal fat to protect their provisions from the rodents. The slippery exterior confounded their mouse-like foes. The process of creating clothing commenced. The process of removing the skins from the seals commenced once they were captured. The purified materials were then shaped appropriately and meticulously joined using thread or slender cords. They ingeniously mended the harm by utilizing pieces ripped from the more sizable sail. They employed specialized needles intended for stitching sails and constructed the required items using threads pulled from these strips. They crafted blankets using the remarkably plush fur of juvenile seals.

Disagreements and battles for dominance risk fragmenting the group.

During this period, the revelation that John Stone was in fact Ansell caught many off guard. He now harbored the fear that his destiny was to perish on this barren isle, having once served as a crew member on a British naval ship. He urged his fellow adventurers to make certain that his mother in England would be informed of what had become of him, in the event that they made it back to society. Charles communicated to Ansell that the responsibility did not rest on his shoulders, but rather on Ansell and his colleagues for not staying in close proximity. Charles made every effort to exonerate himself and preemptively deflect any blame that could be directed his way in the event that their families became aware of their tragic end on the island. His bitterness grew when he discovered that the four had abandoned him without leaving anything to start a fire or his container of gunpowder. Dolin convincingly argues that the quintet, bound together by peril, adopted unique strategies, whether intentional or subconscious, to cope with the mental and emotional strains they faced. Ansell attempted to distract himself from his difficult situation by reverting to familiar habits. Charles, conversely, saw the experience as a chance for thoughtful self-examination. As Ansell struggled with his anxiety and shed tears, Charles kept busy by reading what little material was available, saying prayers, and meticulously documenting the unfolding events in his journal. Ansell experienced immediate gratification from eating meat and engaging in the pursuit of sexual encounters. He seemed unable to delay instant gratification for the sake of achieving objectives in the future. Charles, conversely, was constantly preoccupied with the necessities of survival, such as securing sustenance and gathering resources for shelter, attire, and warmth.

They fervently solicit assistance and endeavor to signal to passing ships, but they face a succession of obstacles and complications.

The team dedicated significant energy toward improving their living conditions and often devised various strategies to attract the notice of passing ships, hoping to be noticed and rescued. They ultimately abandoned their intention to build a signal beacon on New Island. The task of moving timber to such elevated areas was anticipated to be extremely challenging, if not impossible, given the treacherous terrain and the lack of available workers. As the day wore on, the crew spotted a sail drawing near. The source appeared to have originated from the east. Their hearts swelled with hope. They quickly ascended to the ship's higher deck, where they spent numerous hours intently watching the Nanina's sails grow more distinct and discernible. They were ultimately rescued. They held this belief at that particular time.

Practical Tips

• You can enhance your problem-solving skills by simulating a survival scenario. Choose a weekend to live with limited resources, such as food and water, and create a plan to ration these supplies effectively. This exercise will improve your ability to manage resources and make strategic decisions under pressure.
• Improve your conflict resolution abilities by organizing a group activity that requires cooperation to succeed, like a team-building game or a collaborative project. During the activity, focus on identifying and addressing conflicts that arise, practicing negotiation and mediation techniques to find a resolution.
• Develop resilience and adaptability by setting personal challenges that mimic the unpredictability of survival situations. For example, take a different route to work without using GPS or cook a meal with a random selection of pantry items. These exercises will train you to think creatively and adapt to new circumstances quickly.

The controversy over the Nanina, as well as the ensuing legal actions pertaining to the confiscated ship

Lieutenant D'Aranda seizes the Nanina, declaring it a prize of war.

D'Aranda rationalizes his behavior by asserting that the British survivors were subjected to poor treatment by the Americans.

The Nancy, carrying Lundin, reached the location where the Isabella had been wrecked on May 17th, 1813. D'Aranda was surprised to learn that the shipwreck survivors had reached an understanding with the American seal hunters. As soon as Captain Hunter, the only American captain present, encountered the British forces, they detained him as a war captive and seized the agreement that had been formed between the American and British contingents. The author makes a strong case that despite D'Aranda's pronouncements, he had decided to seize the Nanina as a war prize even before the brig arrived at Eagle Island. He immediately claimed the Nanina and the Young Nanina as his rightful prizes, even though he knew about the existing friendly pact for cooperation between British and American groups. Reflecting on past events, D'Aranda justified his actions by recording in the Nancy's logbook that the British seized the Nanina as a countermeasure against the severe treatment they received from American forces. He further cemented his stance by instructing Shepherd, one of his crew, to enhance his log with a declaration supporting this perspective, despite Shepherd's original notes lacking any mention of misconduct on the part of the individuals from the United States.

Upon becoming aware of the incident, the firm John B. Murray and Son commenced legal proceedings to reclaim the Nanina.

Upon the Nancy's return to Buenos Aires in mid-August, D'Aranda submitted his justification for seizing the Nanina to the British officials, despite knowing his argument lacked strength. Rear Admiral Dixon's reputation took a hit when he received reports from multiple informants regarding D'Aranda's misconduct, specifically concerning the abandonment of the Nanina hunting party that included five Americans and three individuals from Britain. Dixon agreed to an arrangement that permitted Valentine, the captain of the Nanina, to regain possession of his ship by paying off the fees for mooring. After the initial terms were agreed upon, Valentine added a stipulation, demanding the agreement include a provision allowing him to pursue future restitution for losses sustained when the Nanina was captured. Dixon was outraged by this new demand, especially in light of his prior generosity, and he refused it, ordered the Nanina to London, and told Valentine to go home. John B. Murray and Son decided to postpone any legal proceedings until a more tranquil period presented itself.

Initially, the Prize Appeal Court in London decided to support D'Aranda's claim, but the Murrays persisted in their opposition to this ruling.

They gathered statements and proof to challenge D'Aranda's claims and the validity of the confiscation.

Once peace came, in early 1815, the Murrays contacted their lawyers in London and instructed them to appeal the Prize Court's earlier decision. John Murray arrived in London in June, armed with statements from Valentine Barnard, the captain of the Nanina, and Barzillai Pease, which strengthened their stance. He also had letters from Rear Admiral Sir Manley Dixon. The Advocate-General, swayed by new evidence and previous assertions from D'Aranda, recommended to the tribunal that it should reverse its earlier decision and rule that on September 15, the Nanina and its contents be restored to the Murrays. They certainly did. Although time has obscured certain specifics of the disputes concerning the reward, the principal events and their outcomes are still clear.

After a prolonged legal battle, it was determined by the courts that the proprietors of the Nanina had a rightful claim to financial recompense.

After the treaty's ratification, the Murrays, backed by their attorneys and the US State Department, persistently interacted with British officials to reverse the 1814 ruling and to confirm their status as the legitimate proprietors of the Nanina and its contents. The Murrays argued that seizing the Nanina and declaring it a war prize was a violation of accepted wartime conduct. Furthermore, they argued that D'Aranda's actions were completely lacking in compassion or human decency, violating the agreement formed between those who endured the ordeal and their captors aboard the ship named the Nanina. The Prize Appeal Court of the High Court of the Admiralty concluded on February 5, 1818, that the Murrays should receive compensation for both the Nanina and its cargo. The captors demanded that the Americans bear the expenses resulting from the seizure, which encompassed the offloading and transaction of the brig in addition to the warehousing of its contents. Dolin does not provide the exact figure for the concluding financial agreement.

Practical Tips

• You can learn to analyze historical events by creating a timeline of the assertions to better understand cause and effect. Start by writing down each event on a separate card or sticky note, then arrange them on a wall or board in chronological order. This visual representation will help you see the sequence of actions and consequences, similar to how the events unfolded around the Nanina. It's a hands-on way to grasp the complexities of historical situations and the interconnectedness of decisions and outcomes.
• Develop critical thinking skills by role-playing different perspectives from the assertions. Choose a friend or family member to join you in a discussion where each of you adopts a different viewpoint, such as that of D'Aranda, the Murrays, or British officials. By arguing and defending each position, you'll practice seeing issues from multiple angles, which can enhance your ability to understand and resolve conflicts in your own life.
• Enhance your negotiation abilities by simulating a restitution scenario based on the events. Pretend you're seeking compensation for a wrong done to you, much like the Murrays did. Draft a letter or prepare a speech to present your case, focusing on gathering evidence, articulating your argument clearly, and anticipating counterarguments. This exercise can prepare you for real-life situations where you need to assert your rights and negotiate for fair treatment.

The outcomes for the vessels, as well as their captains and crew members, varied significantly across these events.

The fates of Charles Barnard, the Durie family, and D'Aranda were inextricably linked.

Upon his arrival back home, Barnard encountered the task of rebuilding his financial stability while the Durie family was getting accustomed to their new existence in Scotland.

Charles was the only person from the story who still lived on the island after the events had ended. As November 1814 drew to a close, Charles was the only original crew member of the Nanina left in the Falklands, following the departure of the Asp and the Indispensable. It would be nearly two years before he stepped on American soil again, as his return to the United States was still to come. While the Asp embarked on a journey towards the Sandwich (Hawaiian) Islands, the Indispensable concurrently charted a course for Lima. In early March 1815, Charles departed from the Indispensable near the Peruvian coast and journeyed to Lima by sea, with the intention of securing a spot on an American vessel that would take him back home. Charles, whose journey across the Isthmus of Darien met with obstacles due to the Spanish viceroy's denial of the required permission, ultimately found passage on a British whaler that planned to dock at several ports before sailing back to England. In 1816, Charles transitioned from his duties aboard a whaling vessel to a new position on a ship under the American flag, which was dedicated to seal hunting. After a voyage lasting about four months, the ship arrived in Canton, its storage area crammed full with the skins of fur seals. While there, Charles learned that his wife Mary Ann was still in New York, and she had given up any idea that she would ever see him again. He set sail from Canton in July, the vessel's storage area brimming with Chinese commodities like tea and silk. He made his way back to New York as 1816 was drawing to an end. Charles and Mary were overjoyed to be reunited. Their happiness diminished upon discovering that Charles, to whom Valentine had previously entrusted the profits from his early sealing ventures, was also penniless due to his father's bankruptcy. After enduring a grueling four-year ordeal, Charles returned without any achievements to his name. In the summer of 1813, the Durie family set sail from Rio aboard the Nancy, after the Nanina was commandeered by British forces, an event that led to the abandonment of the American whaling crew, Charles among them. The crew exerted relentless effort to remove the abundant water that persistently flooded the front part of the ship. A sailor from Britain, Matthew Lennon, met his end on the ocean. His condition worsened, possibly as a result of scurvy, and was further aggravated by the thirty-six lashes he received as punishment for his drunkenness on Eagle Island. On August 19th, after returning to Buenos Aires, D'Aranda updated the British officials on the recent developments concerning The Nancy. At the onset of February 1814, the vessel Nanina, carrying those who had endured the Isabella's distressing ordeal, set sail from Rio and reached Portsmouth around mid-May. The passengers and crew eventually reached London. Upon their return to London, the Duries were met with the devastating reality of their home having been utterly destroyed by fire. The disaster necessitated their move to Edinburgh. Robert's life came to an end when he was 48 years old, leaving behind his partner and their two children. Joseph Holt returned to Dublin possessing a significant sum of money. He acquired a tavern and invested in property. Upon his death at the age of seventy, he was somewhat dismissively described in an obituary as the person who led the insurrection. Richard Brooks achieved significant success on the Australian continent. He moved to a new area with his relatives, became known as a gentleman of the countryside, and was acknowledged for his significant support of various philanthropic endeavors. Sir Henry Browne Hayes returned to Cork. He died in the year 1832 when he was seventy years old, his life marked by a considerable degree of peace.

Following the loss of the Nanina, D'Aranda faced ongoing difficulties that impacted his standing.

Ironically enough, the one person who seemed to have suffered the most in the years after the harrowing events of 1812-1814, was the only one who did not endure severe hardship and peril, William Peter D'Aranda, who lived a great distance away, on the remote Falkland Islands. In mid-August, after making his way back to Buenos Aires, D'Aranda briefed British officials on the recent undertakings of the Nancy and attempted to defend his seizure of the Nanina, despite acknowledging the weak grounds for his actions. Moreover, his reputation suffered when it came to light that D'Aranda had deserted a hunting group on the Nanina, which included five Americans and three individuals from Britain. D'Aranda spent the subsequent years in the service of the Royal Navy and engaged in merchant marine activities, but he never attained notable prominence in his positions. The ruling by the Prize Appeal Court in the Falklands, which resulted in the loss of a substantial monetary prospect, adversely affected his career and left him with a sense of resentment. The owners of the Isabella failed to fulfill their responsibilities by not providing any compensation for his efforts to rescue their passengers and recover a portion of their goods. D'Aranda subsequently lamented that his courageous actions remained unacknowledged and without reward.

The Nanina was eventually returned to its owners, while the Nancy was deemed unsuitable for further use.

The fate of the Nancy remains a mystery, whereas the Nanina persists in its voyages to hunt seals.

The Nanina was set to go under the hammer following its arrival back in England, assuming the prize court's preliminary ruling faced no objections. The Murrays initiated their formal appeal in late November 1815, after diplomatic relations with the United States had been officially reestablished in December of the previous year. On February 5, 1818, the Murrays received a positive ruling from the Prize Appeal Court of the High Court of the Admiralty. The court ruling required payment for the value of the ships and their cargo; it further stipulated that those who seized the vessels should be reimbursed for their expenses, including D'Aranda's significant legal fees. Upon his return to the United States, Charles resumed his nautical endeavors in 1817, embarking on several journeys that concentrated on pursuing seals across the expansive depths of the South Atlantic and the Pacific. As the year 1813 was drawing to a close, the vessel known as the Nancy was subject to censure and subsequently traded away in Buenos Aires. Dolin lacks information regarding what ultimately happened to the Young Nanina after it was last seen by the Nancy's crew.

The remnants of the Isabella are scattered across Eagle Island, with its contents and cargo spread throughout the vicinity.

The ship named Isabella carried a vast assortment of seal pelts, many barrels overflowing with whale oil, and a significant quantity of mother-of-pearl shells. In late November 1814, it became evident with the arrival of the Asp and the Indispensable that not all items had been recovered, despite the weeks spent salvaging a significant quantity of goods, apparatus, instruments, and belongings from the wrecked vessel. After evaluating the ship's poor state, the British sailors recommended that the five Americans leave the worthless vessel behind, since it was unsuitable for their planned voyage to Canton prior to their return journey to England. Believing the Nanina would help transfer the remaining goods, D'Aranda left behind many items because he lacked the means to carry all of them on the Nancy. The ship carried not only its own provisions but also the remaining cargo from the Nanina. As a result, many items and possessions were left behind along the shores of Newtown Providence.

I trust this offers a comprehensive summary of "Surviving the Odds," a work authored by Eric Jay Dolin! If you have any further questions about the book, just let me know.

Context

• Charles Barnard faced financial instability upon returning home after his maritime adventures. He embarked on various sea voyages, transitioning between different vessels and roles. His journey included challenges such as obstacles in securing passage back to the United States and financial struggles due to his father's bankruptcy. Despite enduring hardships and setbacks, Charles eventually reunited with his wife Mary Ann in New York.
• The Durie family embarked on a voyage from Rio aboard the Nancy after the Nanina was taken by British forces, leading to the abandonment of the American whaling crew, including Charles Barnard. The crew faced challenges with water flooding the ship, and a British sailor named Matthew Lennon tragically passed away during the journey. Upon their return to London, the Duries discovered their home had been destroyed by fire, prompting their relocation to Edinburgh. Robert Durie, the head of the family, passed away at the age of 48, leaving behind his partner and children.
• After the loss of the Nanina, D'Aranda faced challenges due to his actions, including defending his seizure of the ship and dealing with a weakened reputation. He spent years in service but did not achieve notable success in his roles, facing setbacks such as a ruling that led to a loss of potential earnings and unacknowledged efforts. D'Aranda's actions on the Nanina, including deserting a group, impacted his career negatively, leaving him resentful over unfulfilled recognition and rewards.
• The legal proceedings concerning the Nanina and the Nancy involved a dispute over ownership and compensation. The Murrays, owners of the Nanina, appealed for the return of their vessel and cargo. Ultimately, a court ruling in 1818 favored the Murrays, requiring payment for the seized vessels and expenses incurred. The fate of the Nancy, however, remains unclear as it faced censure and was traded away in Buenos Aires.
• The fate of the Nancy remains uncertain as it faced censure and was eventually traded away in Buenos Aires. The Nanina continued its voyages for seal hunting after being returned to its owners.
• The scattered remnants of the Isabella on Eagle Island are the remains of the ship that carried various goods like seal pelts, whale oil, and mother-of-pearl shells. The items left behind by D'Aranda on the Nancy and along the shores of Newtown Providence were possessions and cargo from the Nanina that couldn't all be transported due to limited means. The decision to leave some items behind was made to prioritize essential provisions and the transfer of remaining goods during their journey. The scattered remnants and items left behind highlight the challenges and constraints faced during maritime endeavors in the early 19th century.