Fact and Fiction: What happened at Pabellón de Pica and Huanillos on 9 May 1877?

摘要

Memoirs can be a great source, but they may mislead. Fair Winds & Foul, which purports to be a first-hand memoir by an elderly seafarer, Frederick Perry, recording his time as a mate in sail from 1876 to 1883, provides a good example of the potential pitfalls. According to his preface this was 'the height of the history of the Californian Clipper Ships', although most would regard it as well past. His main service was five to six years in the new full-rigged ship Continental, which had been launched on 25 January 1875, and sold to De Groot & Peck of New York in 1876 (see appendix A).