Masterman Ready by Captain Marryat

Masterman Ready is a tale of Christian redemption and salvation: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

The Seagrave family embark on the good ship Pacific in London, bound for Sydney.  Five days out from Cape Town, the ship is overtaken by a storm of stupendous force that leaves it dis-masted and sinking.  The crew embark in the only life boat, taking the unconscious Captain Osborne with them.  Only the old tar Masterman Ready elects to stay behind with the Seagraves, trusting their salvation to God.  The Pacific runs aground on a desert island.  Ready and the Seagraves are able to salvage a goodly supply of tools and stores before the ship founders, and they start a new life as castaways.  Will they life long enough to be rescued?

Masterman Ready is an overtly Christian tale.  The text is liberally sprinkled with quotes and paraphrases from the Bible, most of it used for the moral edification of William, the eldest child of the Seagraves.  In addition to this, Ready and Mr Seagrave supply William with some moral truisms:

Employment is a source of happiness, especially when you are usefully employed. An industrious person is always a happy person, provided he is not obliged to work too hard; and even where you have cause for unhappiness, nothing makes you forget it so soon as occupation. (Chapter XXXV)

Bear this in mind, William, and never let the fear of ridicule induce you to do what is wrong; or if you have done wrong, prevent you from returning to what is your duty. (Chapter XXXVI)

Ready proves himself to be not only a great survivalist, using the knowledge gleaned from a long and pragmatic life to provide food and shelter for his companions, but also a great moral fortifier who exhorts his charges to choose hope over despair.

I think we can read symbolism into the tale.  Being wrecked on a desert island is an analogue of life.  We can face the situation with hope or despair.  In a way, Ready can be seen a type of Christ analogue, an instiller of hope who makes the ultimate sacrifice for his friends.  However, Ready has a flawed past, one for which he reprimands himself, but he finds forgiveness in the eyes of his new friends and redemption in his own actions in the final few months of his life.

The language in Masterman Ready is refreshingly straightforward and avoids the verbosity evident in many 19th Century novels. This story, which was written in 1841, has elements that do offend modern sensibilities.  Disparaging and un-Christian remarks are made about Australian Aboriginal people and Pacific Islanders that may have been received wisdom 150 years but do not wash today.  Perhaps we can forgive Captain Marryat for being a product of his times and enjoy his tale for what it is: moral guidance for the young wrapped up in a tale of adventure.

Publishing details: First published in 1841.  I read an e-book version that contained no publishing details.