This gripping memoir recounts the harrowing experiences of Captain David Woodard and four of his crew members, who were shipwrecked off the coast of Celebes and taken captive by Malay pirates in the early 19th century. Through a combination of resourcefulness, courage, and good fortune, Woodard and his comrades were able to escape their captors and make their way back to civilization. With its vivid descriptions of a life at sea and its dramatic tale of survival and escape, this book is a classic of maritime literature.
David Woodard Knihy


This true story of survival on the high seas is a thrilling and harrowing tale of adventure and endurance. When Captain David Woodard and his crew of four were shipwrecked near the island of Celebes, they found themselves at the mercy of a group of hostile Malays. What follows is a breathtaking account of the crew's escape from captivity, their struggles to find food and shelter on a deserted island, and their eventual rescue by a passing British ship. Written in vivid and compelling prose, this book is a testament to the indomitability of the human spirit.