The Literature Network - John Rumrill and Herman Melville: deserters in the South Pacific.(Note)(Biography)

John Rumrill and Herman Melville: deserters in the South Pacific.(Note)(Biography)

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From: Melville Society Extracts
Date: 20040701
Author:Rumrill, Clark

John Rumrill and Herman Melville had a good deal in common. Both were in their early twenties when they shipped from New Bedford harbor on whaleships in the 1840s; both jumped ship in the Marquesas Islands about halfway through their voyages; and both avoided capture by immediately leaving the port town--Melville on foot over the hills to a neighboring valley and Rumrill by stealing a boat and rowing to another island. Rumrill signed the better contract for his whaling services: he was due 1/160 of the proceeds of the voyage, less certain expenses, upon his ship's return to New ...

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