2 February 1709: Alexander Selkirk is rescued
After four years and four months marooned on a desert island, Alexander Selkirk – the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe – was rescued on this day in 1709.
The moment Alexander Selkirk saw the Cinque Ports sailing away, he knew he'd made a mistake. He ran into the sea, but it was too late – the ship's captain, Thomas Stradling, wouldn't take him back. Selkirk was a castaway.
As the ship's master, Selkirk had quarrelled with the 21-year-old captain over the leaking state of the ship. He refused to sail on until repairs were made. Stradling took Selkirk at his word, and marooned the Scot on the island of Más a Tierra, 400 miles off the coast of modern-day Chile in 1704.
For the next four years and four months, Selkirk learned to scavenge and hunt goats for his food. He made rough and ready clothes from the hides and built shelter using the pepper trees on the island. Amusement was limited to reading the Bible and singing to his horde of feral cats, which he persuaded to protect him from the rats.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Salvation came at the end of January 1709, when the English privateering frigates Duke and Duchess hove into view. Selkirk lit a bonfire to attract the sailors' attention and, on 2 February, Captain Woodes Rogers ordered a landing party.
Once back in London, Selkirk became a media sensation. Captain Rogers cashed in by writing the best-selling A Cruising Voyage Around the World. And of course, Daniel Defoe wrote his famous novel, Robinson Crusoe, said to be based on Selkirk's time on the island – although the book is set in the Caribbean.
Selkirk struggled to settle back into British life and his new-found wealth was little consolation. He told journalist Robert Steele that even though he was now worth £800, he was never so happy as when he was not worth a farthing. Selkirk tired of his fortune and enlisted in the Royal Navy. He died in 1721.
But Selkirk's legacy lives on. In 1966, the Chilean government spied an opportunity to attract tourists and renamed Más a Tierra as Robinson Crusoe Island. Another island in the archipelago was renamed in honour of the real-life castaway.
As for the Cinque Ports, the leaking ship sank shortly after abandoning Selkirk to his fate, and the surviving crew were captured by the Spanish. Alexander Selkirk had been right to get off when he did.
Sign up to Money Morning
Our team, led by award winning editors, is dedicated to delivering you the top news, analysis, and guides to help you manage your money, grow your investments and build wealth.
Chris Carter spent three glorious years reading English literature on the beautiful Welsh coast at Aberystwyth University. Graduating in 2005, he left for the University of York to specialise in Renaissance literature for his MA, before returning to his native Twickenham, in southwest London. He joined a Richmond-based recruitment company, where he worked with several clients, including the Queen’s bank, Coutts, as well as the super luxury, Dorchester-owned Coworth Park country house hotel, near Ascot in Berkshire.
Then, in 2011, Chris joined MoneyWeek. Initially working as part of the website production team, Chris soon rose to the lofty heights of wealth editor, overseeing MoneyWeek’s Spending It lifestyle section. Chris travels the globe in pursuit of his work, soaking up the local culture and sampling the very finest in cuisine, hotels and resorts for the magazine’s discerning readership. He also enjoys writing his fortnightly page on collectables, delving into the fascinating world of auctions and art, classic cars, coins, watches, wine and whisky investing.
You can follow Chris on Instagram.
-
Keir Starmer's 100 days in office: chaos and misery
Keir Starmer has achieved 100 days in office. The bumbling and grasping prime minister needs a guiding mission
By Emily Hohler Published
-
Pfizer shares rise as US investor takes $1 billion stake
Pfizer shares are on the up since US activist investor Starboard Value built up a stake in the drug maker. But strategic options appear limited
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published
-
31 August 1957: the Federation of Malaya declares independence from the UK
Features On this day in 1957, after ten years of preparation, the Federation of Malaya became an independent nation.
By Jasper Spires Published
-
13 April 1960: the first satellite navigation system is launched
Features On this day in 1960, Nasa sent the Transit 1B satellite into orbit to provide positioning for the US Navy’s fleet of Polaris ballistic missile submarines.
By Ben Judge Published
-
9 April 1838: National Gallery opens in Trafalgar Square
Features On this day in 1838, William Wilkins’ new National Gallery building in Trafalgar Square opened to the public.
By Ben Judge Published
-
3 March 1962: British Antarctic Territory is created
Features On this day in 1962, Britain formed the British Antarctic Territory administered from the Falkland Islands.
By Chris Carter Published
-
10 March 2000: the dotcom bubble peaks
Features Tech mania fanned by the dawning of the internet age inflated the dotcom bubble to maximum extent, on this day in 2000.
By Chris Carter Last updated
-
9 March 1776: Adam Smith publishes 'The Wealth of Nations'
Features On this day in 1776, Adam Smith, the “father of modern economics”, published his hugely influential book The Wealth of Nations.
By Ben Judge Last updated
-
8 March 1817: the New York Stock Exchange is formed
Features On this day in 1817, a group of brokers moved out of a New York coffee house to form what would become the biggest stock exchange in the world.
By Chris Carter Last updated
-
7 March 1969: Queen Elizabeth II officially opens the Victoria Line
Features On this day in 1969, Queen Elizabeth II took only her second trip on the tube to officially open the underground’s newest line – the Victoria Line.
By Ben Judge Last updated