Shipwreck in the Barren Falklands Guest: Eric Jay Dolin The Nanina crew was sealing in the inhospitable Falkland Islands, characterized by constant 18 mph winds, cold temperatures, and no trees, only tall tussock grass. The sealing industry targeted valua

The John Batchelor Show

Shipwreck in the Barren Falklands Guest: Eric Jay Dolin
The Nanina crew was sealing in the inhospitable Falkland Islands, characterized by constant 18 mph winds, cold temperatures, and no trees, only tall tussock grass. The sealing industry targeted valuable fur seals, rougher hair seals, and massive elephant seals whose blubber yielded high-quality illuminant oil. While the Americans were operating, the British ship Isabella, sailing from the Australian penal colony to London, wrecked on Eagle Island. The Isabella carried 54 people, including armed Marines, former convicts, and prostitutes. Captain George Higton was blamed for the crash due to his ineptitude and heavy drinking. Although the survivors made it ashore, they felt stranded and many broke into the salvaged alcohol.