Literary Account of The Loss of The Schiller Reviewed
The wreck of the Schiller in 1875 was not unremarkably different from the disaster, which gripped the lives of so many on board the Titanic, and around the world, many years later. Both were relatively new ships, revolutionary for their day, both were wrecked in the unforgiving Atlantic Ocean, and both incite stories of heroism, treachery and acute pathos.
The Schiller was the Titanic of its day. Nearly 350 civilians and sailor alike lost their lives to the dreaded Retarrier ledges amongst the Western Rocks. Tragically, the very instrument, which was intended to deter such an incident, the Bishop Rock Lighthouse, was not seen or heard. Amongst the chaos of that one night, many lifeboats were crushed or rendered useless in the panic. In the aftermath, the Scillonian people showed their legendary strength and adaptability in adversity and were widely congratulated for their generosity to the survivors and relatives of those who lost their lives. A new book has been published, written by Keith Austin, detailing the events which led up to, and followed, this most disturbing of shipwrecks.
‘The Victorian Titanic? differs from the more traditional history book in the respect that it closely follows a single event in World history but draws on sources ranging from maritime records to political and economical situations of particular countries concerned. This effect builds up a lattice of intrigue reaching far further than your ?average reference? to this tragic event. In this way the Author seems to draw influences from the much-acclaimed account of the Andrea Gail by Sebastian Junger in ‘The Perfect Storm’.
The story is told pretty much unambiguously, the author reaching his preferred reading and stating it as fact, there is very little which is left in doubt about the intricacies of the journey. Another style the author has adopted is demonstrated best by the effect it creates. The style seems to bring out anecdotes and descriptions which were typical of the time rather than specifically of the voyage. This leads to the amazing effect of certainty and makes you actually believe that these things did happen in a way that many fiction writers would struggle to do.
The Author has evidently researched the specifics of the journey very well as he details personal trials and tribulations which occur to the individuals who were actually on board the ship, including the ever present stories of ?the ones who just missed the boat? which consequentially saved their lives. Some of the personal stories are emotive and really help the reader to empathize, in some capacity, with the events, which unfolded during the short and fated journey.
The book reads like a Fictional literary work rather than a textbook, which undoubtedly serves the true story well. It also proves a fascinating insight into a period of Scillonian history, comparing to the rapidly evolving world around it. I would recommend that anyone with an interest in Scilly’s history read the book which will be available from most book stores or online at http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/184114133X/scillynews-21.