The Worst Place on Earth to Be Shipwrecked

In the summer of 1815, Captain James Riley found himself lost off the coast of Africa, enveloped in a thick fog. His ship, the Commerce, crash-landed on an unknown shore, leading to a horrifying series of events that would change his life forever.

Key Takeaways

• Captain James Riley’s early life and determination to go to sea.
• The harrowing shipwreck and its aftermath.
• The brutal captivity and eventual rescue in Morocco.

Captain James Riley: A Life at Sea

Captain James Riley was born on October 27, 1777, in Middletown, Connecticut. Growing up in a large family during the American Revolutionary War, he faced hardships early on. By the age of 10, he was working on a neighboring farm, leaving little time for school. Despite these challenges, he developed a passion for the sea, fueled by stories of adventure and exploration.

At 15, Riley left the farm to pursue a life at sea. He started as a cabin boy, working his way up through the ranks to become a ship captain by the age of 20. His career took him around the world, but it was not without its challenges. In January 1808, his ship was seized by the French, leaving him broke and stranded in France until 1809.

The Fateful Voyage

After marrying and having four children, Riley returned to the sea, determined to rebuild his fortune. In May 1815, he was hired to captain the Commerce, a two-masted ship. The journey began smoothly, but disaster struck when the ship encountered thick fog while navigating near the Canary Islands.

Riley, unable to see, lost his bearings and ended up 120 miles off course. After several days of navigating through the fog, the Commerce ran aground on an unknown shore. The crew quickly gathered supplies, but the situation was dire.

Encountering Hostility

As the crew made it to the beach, they were met by a local man of Arab descent, who began gathering their belongings. Riley, sensing danger, ordered his men to prepare for a possible confrontation. Despite their efforts to communicate peacefully, the situation escalated when the local people returned with weapons.

The crew was outnumbered and faced the threat of being captured. In a desperate attempt to negotiate, Riley offered the locals money in exchange for their freedom. However, the situation turned deadly when one of Riley’s crew members, Antonio, was killed.

The Struggle for Survival

With their supplies stolen and no means of escape, Riley and the remaining crew members took to a longboat, drifting for nine days without food or water. They eventually landed near the Sahara Desert in Morocco, where they faced extreme heat and harsh conditions.

Riley’s hope was to find a friendly tribe, but instead, they encountered the Sahrawi people, who treated them brutally. The crew suffered from starvation, dehydration, and abuse, leading to the deaths of several members.

A Desperate Bargain

Months later, Riley managed to communicate with a nomad named Sidi Hamet, convincing him to buy the crew and take them to the nearest city. Sidi agreed, but only if Riley could promise him money and a gun upon arrival. This was a risky gamble, as Riley had no way of knowing if he could fulfill that promise.

During their journey to the city of Mogador, Riley wrote a heartfelt letter detailing their plight, hoping to appeal to the compassion of the British consul. Sidi took the letter into the city, and after a tense wait, he returned with a British merchant named William Willshire, who agreed to pay for the crew’s freedom.

A New Beginning

Riley’s ordeal ended, but not without a heavy toll. He returned to America weighing just 90 pounds, a shadow of his former self. The experience transformed him into an abolitionist, and he published a book about his captivity, titled “Sufferings in Africa,” which gained significant attention and changed perceptions about slavery in America.

Riley’s story is a testament to resilience and the human spirit’s capacity to endure unimaginable hardships. He returned to the sea but died in 1840, likely due to health issues stemming from his time in captivity. His legacy lives on, inspiring future generations to fight against injustice and advocate for freedom.