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Section 2 Curious to Discover

Arthur William Devis, 1763-1822
Portrait of Captain Wilson of the Antelope c.1782

oil on canvas; 74 x 60.8 cm
Rex Nan Kivell Collection; NK5375 T418
National Library of Australia

 

Going to sea at the age of 14, Wilson captained his first ship, an East India Company pacquet Antelope, in 1782. During a secret voyage to China via Cape Horn in the hope of learning the fate of missing company ships, the Antelope was shipwrecked on reefs near the island of Oroolong (Ulong) on the night of 9 August 1783. Although the route around the Horn was occasionally used, it was unusual to sail to China in a westerly direction. The Antelope was also possibly on a mission of exploration.

All on board survived the shipwreck, escaping to a nearby island. Sustained by the hospitality of Abba Thulle, the island chief, the crew built a new vessel, the Oroolong, from the wreck of the Antelope, setting sail on 12 November 1783. Arthur William Devis was a member of Captain Wilson's crew.

 

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