The Story of the Voyage

This is the first full study of one of the most popular and extensive forms of eighteenth-century literature, the voyage narrative. It illustrates the wide variety of published and unpublished material in this field, from self-satisfied official accounts to the little-known narratives of victims of the press-gang. It includes a survey of writings about the Pacific - including Cook’s voyages and Bligh and The Bounty; there is a major new study of William Dampier, studies of writings about the slave-trade, and accounts of seamen and passengers, including Fielding and Mary Wollstonecraft. This is a book about writing, rather than exploration and adventure, dealing with the devious routes from the actuality of experience to the production of self-serving narratives. These are narratives of energy, vitality and interest, set within the context of British competitive sea-going imperialism.

• First full study of the voyage narrative in the age of British sea-going power • Includes detailed accounts of key figures such as Cook and Bligh and a new study of William Dampier • New material on convicts, passengers (including women), and press-ganged seamen

1. Introduction; Part I: 2. William Dampier; Part II: 3. A disconsolate black albatross; 4. The wreck of the Wager; 5. Dr Hawkesworth at sea; 6. Cook and the Forsters; 7. The silence of Fletcher Christian; Part III: 8. The slave-trade; 9. Passengers; 10. Autobiographies; 11. The unfortunates; 12. Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.