DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70266#0329
EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE.
291
cut one board out of each tree ; the hoops upon their provi-
sion casks were beaten into nails ; and by the same patient and
laborious process, they at length projected the building of a
small vessel, and had provided 80 half inch boards for the
purpose, all cut in the way above described. The fortu-
nate accident of Mr. Grono’s touching there, has, however,
preserved them from further suffering and peril.”
The circumstances of this extraordinary adventure, were
fully developed on a trial at Nisi Prius, in the Court of
Common Pleas, London, on Saturday, the 17th December,
1814, in the case of Philips versus Champion, upon an ac-
tion brought by the owners of the vessel and cargo, to reco-
ver from the underwriters, who had insured them, and re-
fused to pay, until the loss was ascertained. The ship had
been missing these two years; and although her total loss
could admit of little or no doubt, the owners were never, Till
this time, enabled to substantiate the fact by positive proof,
or viva voce witness.
Mr. Serjeant Best, in stating the case to the Court
and Jury, told them, that amongst the witnesses he should
this day adduce, there was one who would, in his own per-
son, exemplify the romantic Adventures of Robinson.
Crusoe, by proving his residence, for four years, on a deso-
late island, in the dreary regions of the Pacific Ocean, far
remote from all intercourse with civilized society,—fed only
on the flesh of seals,—clad only with the skins of those ani-
mals,—and lodged only amongst rocks and caverns, until he
was at length rescued from his hopeless exile, by the provi -
dential arrival of a British vessel in these solitary regions,
through means of which, he was enabled to find his way
once more to his native country, and to appear this day, as
an instrument for obtaining justice to the cause of his ship's
owners.
The ownership of the vessel having been proved to exist
in the plaintiffs,
pp 2
291
cut one board out of each tree ; the hoops upon their provi-
sion casks were beaten into nails ; and by the same patient and
laborious process, they at length projected the building of a
small vessel, and had provided 80 half inch boards for the
purpose, all cut in the way above described. The fortu-
nate accident of Mr. Grono’s touching there, has, however,
preserved them from further suffering and peril.”
The circumstances of this extraordinary adventure, were
fully developed on a trial at Nisi Prius, in the Court of
Common Pleas, London, on Saturday, the 17th December,
1814, in the case of Philips versus Champion, upon an ac-
tion brought by the owners of the vessel and cargo, to reco-
ver from the underwriters, who had insured them, and re-
fused to pay, until the loss was ascertained. The ship had
been missing these two years; and although her total loss
could admit of little or no doubt, the owners were never, Till
this time, enabled to substantiate the fact by positive proof,
or viva voce witness.
Mr. Serjeant Best, in stating the case to the Court
and Jury, told them, that amongst the witnesses he should
this day adduce, there was one who would, in his own per-
son, exemplify the romantic Adventures of Robinson.
Crusoe, by proving his residence, for four years, on a deso-
late island, in the dreary regions of the Pacific Ocean, far
remote from all intercourse with civilized society,—fed only
on the flesh of seals,—clad only with the skins of those ani-
mals,—and lodged only amongst rocks and caverns, until he
was at length rescued from his hopeless exile, by the provi -
dential arrival of a British vessel in these solitary regions,
through means of which, he was enabled to find his way
once more to his native country, and to appear this day, as
an instrument for obtaining justice to the cause of his ship's
owners.
The ownership of the vessel having been proved to exist
in the plaintiffs,
pp 2