SOLVED. Shipwreck Biography: 2 kitten crewmates; boiled shoe leather in oil; saved by natives [s]

[N]

Hey all! This is my first post ever on Goodreads. I'm trying to remember the title/author of a biography that I read years back - I swore it was called 'Shipwreck/ed'! I even recall the cover of the book showed a great body of water with a teeny sail (?) boat.

Basically the lad decided to sail across a body of water to go visit his lady love. On his way out he found two black kittens on the dock - his new crewmates. He later found a stowaway rat. He gave the kittens to some natives he met (thank Zodd), because right after that a big storm wrecked his boat and he starved something awful. There's excerpts about him boiling his shoes in oil to eat, and the saddest moment when he tried desperately to catch a big turtle and instead sliced his knee open on a harpoon.

He drifted towards an island once and then sadly off again at the last moment. Eventually he made it to land, where a native family took him in and immediately had to force him to vomit because he couldn't help but try to stuff himself with food (good thing they also knew that was a no-no). There was a funny bit about how in that village the ladies took their tops off to propose, but also happened to take them off to fish - which caused a misunderstanding. I believe he made it back home with traders, and never used the term 'I'm starving' at lunch again.

It was such a heart-wrenching story that I almost couldn't finish reading it, even though I knew he survived.

Since I couldn't fish up anything on Google I'm guessing it isn't a well known story, so odds are slim that anyone will recognize it - but it's worth a try (: ! Thanks and I hope I did this alright.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Nicole--when did you read this? Was it a "modern" story or a historical one? When did you read it? Where was it set?

[N]

Oops, that would matter huh? Thanks! I read it 5-10 years ago. My great uncle (not in touch) knew this man before he had passed away, so I imagine the misadventure took place in the 1940-60s. I'm not sure how long it was until he told his story.

I'm also not sure where it took place, unfortunately. I do know that the man lived out his last years on Bequia in the Carribean Sea - so if I had to guess, I'd say it all happened on that same sea.

[Darcy]

Is it "Desperate Voyage" by John Caldwell?

[N]

Yes, yes, yes it is! Oh my goodness thank you so much Darcy. I definitely did not expect someone to recognize the book at all, let alone two hours later! Thank you so much.

[Darcy]

Glad I could help!