Book Review: A Brave Vessel

A Brave Vessel by Hobson Woodward
Survival, Shipwreck, and Shakespeare

A Review by Aunt Hilda

Hobson Woodward’s A Brave Vessel: The True Tale of the Castaways Who Rescued Jamestown is a great blend of sea story, colonial history, and is he tale of William Strachey, an aspiring writer whose terrifying journey aboard the Sea Venture in 1609 not only shaped the fate of the Jamestown colony but also, might have inspired one of William Shakespeare’s final masterpieces: The Tempest.

The book opens with the ill-fated voyage of the Sea Venture, flagship of a fleet bound for the struggling English colony of Jamestown. Caught in a violent hurricane, the ship was wrecked on the shores of Bermuda—a place then known as “The Devil’s Island.” Surprisingly, all aboard survived, and over the course of ten months, the castaways built two smaller vessels from local timber and the remains of their ship. Their resilience and ingenuity allowed them to eventually reach Jamestown, a colony on the brink of collapse.

Woodward’s narrative brings in Strachey’s vivid and detailed account of the shipwreck and its aftermath. Strachey, who had literary ambitions, documented the experience in a letter that would later circulate in England. His descriptions of the storm, the eerie beauty of Bermuda, and the challenges faced by the survivors are written with a clarity and drama that rival fiction. It is this letter, Woodward argues, that found its way into the hands of Shakespeare.  Many suspect that this served as a key source for The Tempest.

The connection between Strachey’s account and Shakespeare’s play is one of the book’s most interesting ideas. Woodward compares passages from Strachey’s writings with scenes and imagery from The Tempest, and there are striking similarities in language, themes, and phrases. The tempestuous storm, the enchanted island, the theme of survival—all echo Strachey’s real-life experiences. Although there is no definitive proof of Shakespeare’s use of Strachey’s letter, the author presents a persuasive case.

In addition, A Brave Vessel offers a rich portrait of early colonial life. The book delves into the reasons behind the Virginia Company’s ventures, the harsh realities of settlement, and the complexities between colonists and indigenous peoples. Woodward doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of the colonial enterprise, including the deceptions used to lure settlers and the brutal conditions they faced  when they got there.

Woodward’s prose is both scholarly and easy to read. He brings the 17th century to life--from the creaking timbers of the Sea Venture to the lush, mysterious landscape of Bermuda. His portrayal of Strachey is sympathetic, recognizing the man’s ambition and talent while acknowledging his relative obscurity in the annals of history.

All things considered, I think that A Brave Vessel is an elegant work that links the worlds of history and literature. It tells a story of survival against the odds, of a colony saved by castaways, and of a writer whose words may have shaped one of the greatest plays ever written. For readers interested in maritime history, early America, or Shakespearean drama, Woodward’s book offers an enjoyable read.