author
William S. Cary
1804–1883
Best known for a vivid survival narrative set in the South Pacific, this Nantucket sailor turned his extraordinary ordeal into a book that still feels immediate and dramatic. His story links maritime history, shipwreck adventure, and a rare firsthand account of life in Fiji in the 1820s.
1 Audiobook
Wrecked on the Feejees
by William S. Cary
About the author
Born in 1804 and associated with Nantucket, William S. Cary is remembered for Wrecked on the Feejees, a firsthand-style account drawn from his experiences after the whaleship Oeno was wrecked on Turtle Island in the Pacific in 1825. Contemporary catalog and edition notes describe him as the sole survivor of the crew and place his later life back in Massachusetts.
What makes Cary notable as an author is the unusual path to his book. Rather than a large literary career, he is known for one remarkable survival narrative: after the wreck, he reportedly lived for years in Fiji before eventually returning home. That gives his writing a strong documentary feel as well as the appeal of a sea adventure.
Available records identify him as William S. Carey, born April 25, 1804, and died February 28, 1883, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. I could confirm his dates and the broad outline of his life and book, but I did not find a clearly verified portrait image suitable for use here.