Wager Mutiny

The Wager Mutiny was the mutiny of the crew of HMS Wager after she was wrecked on a desolate island off the west coast of Chile in 1741 and the subsequent adventures of her crew. The final voyage of Wager was as part of a squadron commanded by George Anson destined to attack Spanish interests in the Pacific. Wager lost contact with the squadron whilst rounding Cape Horn, ran aground and was wrecked on the west coast of Chile in May 1741. The main body of the crew subsequently mutinied against the Captain, David Cheap, abandoned him and some loyal followers, and made their way back in a modified open boat to England via the Strait of Magellan. Although most died on the journey some survived to return to England, including the ring-leaders. Captain Cheap and a smaller group made their way north to an inhabited region of Chile, guided by local indians. Most of this group died on the journey, but Cheap and three others survived to eventually return to England in 1745, some two years after the mutineers. The adventures of the crew of the Wager were of such a magnitude as to create considerable public interest at the time and have been the subject of many narratives by survivors and others, including the novel The Unknown Shore by the celebrated historical naval author Patrick O'Brian.