Boon Island : A True Story of Mutiny, Shipwreck, and Cannibalism

The wreck of the Nottingham Galleyon Boon Island and the resultant rumors of insurance fraud, mutiny, treason, and cannibalism was one of the most sensational stories of the early 18th century. Shortly after departing England with Captain John Deane at the helm, his brother Jasper and another investor aboard, and a skeleton crew, the ship encountered French privateers on her way to Ireland where she then lingered for weeks picking up cargo--finally heading into the North Atlantic much later in the season than was reasonably safe. Captain Dean offered one version of the events that led them to the barren rock off the coast of Maine; his crew proposed another. The story contains mysteries that endure to this day, yet no contemporary non-fiction account of the story exists. In the hands of skilled storytellers Andrew Vietze and Stephen Erickson, this becomes a historical adventure-mystery that will appeal to readers of Southand The Perfect Storm.

Andrew Vietze is the former Managing Editor of Down East: The Magazine of Maine, the author of six previous books, and has written for a wide array of print and online publications. Stephen Erickson holds an MA in American History from UMASS /Amherst and is currently the President of Americans United to Rebuild Democracy.