On 1 July 1875, while on a voyage from Dundee in the United Kingdom to Otago, New Zealand, the ship was wrecked off the Crozet Islands.[1] [2] The passengers and crew were considered dead after the ship did not arrive at its final destination. However, 44 crew and passengers managed to survive on a small island by eating eggs and geese, albatrosses, and other seabirds. They also ate root vegetables and fish.[3] Five people died because of the low temperature at the island.
After seven months, they were rescued on 22 January 1876 by the American whaler Young Phoenix - captained by Civil War hero David Lewis Gifford.[4] [5] [6]