Adventures of Beth and Dan: Who Was the Real Life Robinson Crusoe?

At one time the islands which we now call Robinson Crusoe were considered the Venice of the Pacific.

For 250 years it lasted and was very successful around 1550-1800. A young man named Selkirk was from Scotland. He was the 7th child and a wayward one at that. At the age of 15 he took off to see the world on a ship. He proved to be a good sailor and navigator for the crew. Imagine being on a ship at this time and the conditions, the food, sickness, scurvy and trying to get along with rough, sometimes cruel and ruthless characters.

The toilet for the crew was just a plank the hung out overboard. Not lots of privacy there where it was placed in the front of the ship! Only the captain had a real type of toilet with privacy.

Meals consisted of what was known as the poor man’s stew made of dried fish or meat. They also dined on the delicacy of twice made bread which was called that because it had maggots in it!!!

Water was half wine with half water. Because so many sailors died on the voyages from things like scurvy they would over staff the ship as you knew half of them would die. There was always a Clergy man on board as was mandated by the Catholic Church.

Often ships restocked at the Juan Fernandez islands. Some hulls could not withstand the rigors of the trip and had to turn back to small Islands where they would try to shore up their ships.

Some hulls were eaten by sea worms because they were not prepared adequately with tars.

Selkirk could see that the ship he was on was in bad condition. The hulls were being eaten by worms and the structure itself was weak. He tried to talk to the captain about fixing things and staying on shore awhile to accomplish this fearing the ship would sink and all be killed without it. But the captain being egotistical and a bully refused it. He told Selkirk he could either continue on the journey or stay on the deserted island. His decision was to go ashore and they left him.

The first few nights he was terrified. How would he survive? He was depressed and at his wits end. He doubted his choice and feared this decision surely would be the death of him. All he had was a pistol, a pot to cook in, an axe, a knife he fashioned from the iron rings of a barrel and a little rum and prayer book.

But as they days went by he found many things in the island that could sustain him like fish, berries, goats, which had apparently at one time been left by the Spaniards and yams.

He pondered that perhaps he could construct a raft???? No!!! There were sharks, currents, waves and the chance he would be captured by Spaniards.

His chief fear was illness. He built a rough shelter and cooking facility. Staying busy helped his spirits too.

He captured goats then broke their hind legs so they couldn’t run away which would provide him with milk, meat and clothes from their hides.

There were rats on the island which most likely came in on ships. At night they gnawed his hands and feet. But wild cats were also there and as he befriended the cats they ate the rats. He had a community with the animals. He became an island man. He used charcoal to remove stains from his teeth. Once he fell off a cliff and lay there for three days before he could get back to his shelter.

After quite sometime there he spotted a ship coming his way. As she closed in he realized it was a Spanish ship and he hid from the crew for two days. They destroyed his things that he had like his shelter and outdoor kitchen but he survived.

He kept track of days. Days became months and months became years. He figured he was a better Christian for having gone through this sacrifice and desperation.

After four and 1/2 years he finally got back to Scotland after being picked up by another trading ship. He vowed to marry and be a better Christian. When he boarded the rescue ship he asked about the ship he had abandoned four years ago. That ship had sunk. Many died and the captain went to jail! When he boarded that ship he was very emotional; he was barefoot, hairy, and inarticulate. He did show the crew the island and they were impressed. The ship he went back on attacked Guayaquil and merchant ships. He made it back to England and was given 800 pounds which back then was a fortune. He eventually got to Scotland and married a young bar maid, Sophia Bruce. But as time passed he was restless and de died to join the Royal Navy. Back then when you signed on you had to have a will. Instead of making the will out to Sophia he made it to a woman he met in England! So much for being a better Christian!! That ship wrecked off the coast of Africa and he died.

Woodes Rogers, a British captain, wrote an account of Selkirk and Daniel Defoe read it in 1708. It was regarding Selkirk from 1660-1731 but was a fictional tale and he named the character Robinson Crusoe!

In 1966 Chile renamed the islands Robinson Crusoe and Selkirk Island.

MAs a Tierra means close to shore which is Crusoe Island

Mas a fuera further from shore or Selkirk.

70 people live on Selkirk island and Robinson Crusoe has only a few hundred. There is an airport on the opposite side of the island but no road to it. It takes two hours by boat to get there. There is a small ferry that comes several times a month with supplies.

For many years it was a prison where independent activists were relegated. In 2010 they had a tsunami caused by a Chilean 8.8 quake. Most buildings were destroyed. A 12 year old girl warned neighbors of the tsunami coming as she quickly ran to alert them and they ran to safety. We arrive by tender and it takes 10-15 minutes to get to the port. We have a steep flight of stairs up to the port and down to tender. San Juan Bautista is the capital with 700 people. It was founded by Bautista in 1750 by Spain. Chile was founded in 1877 and its position here. The area is very hilly and has unpaved streets. There is a national park here that you can hike through but it costs $10 for a pass for the day and it’s very steep and uneven.

No one here takes credit cards.

One point is over 3000 ft and very overgrown and difficult to hike through. If you are hiking the area

allow two hours one way. It’s a steep incline from downtown. There are a few small local restaurants and bars. They specialize in the Spiny lobster here which as far as fishing goes is their main revenue. There are a few souvenir shops but as we reach the pier several of the locals have made jewelry from the dyed skins of goats and the hair of the goats.

We are here from 7-2.30 for last tender and leave at 3. The Currency here is the Chilean peso. We are told to bring small bills.

Trading was for spices, silks, and of course there was piracy!!

Sailor life was tough.

Foods that Selkirk might have eaten.

Selkirk did become famous with an island named after him and was considered a doctor and island monarch.

Up early and anchoring

A misty cool morning. You can see the rough terrain and how the town has a steep incline to it

The tender port area

Beautiful morning ride over

A unique panoramic shot from deck three.

Small boats here are used. You don’t have to go far to catch the lobsters and other fish they use for their food source

Old cannons from protecting the islanders from Pirates

A unique tribute to Selkirk

And for $1 I got to hold two spiney lobsters and get my photo taken!! Ha ha

This is most of what is in the town

A mini mart which wasn’t open but most all things like this are in a house.

And the Posada of the Pirate!! He wasn’t open either

This was the wall by his driveway made of empty wine bottles!!

My kitty fix!

A few horses just graze at will some being tethered

Sign by the park

Here’s the shape of the island.

We walked up to the top of the town at the entrance to the park and got this shot.

And they had a small Magic Jardin or garden !

The inside of their one small church with few seats

Boats were scattered everywhere. When the tsunami came it destroyed all the lower flat areas

The Robin Crusoe coat of arms