New book tells of Larne man's role in sea voyage

'MacDonald's Choice', by Somerset-based academic Dr John Little, tells the little-known story of the ship Henry James, which sank in April 1888 in the Pacific Ocean.

The Henry James was captained by Ralph Lattimore, a Carrick-born man then living at Waterloo Cottage in Larne, with Scotsman Donald MacDonald as First Mate.

The vessel's 30 passengers - including four children - survived by making their way in two boats to the nearest land mass, Palmyra Atoll, almost 50 nautical miles away.

Once on the island, Captain Lattimore tasked MacDonald to go and get help for the stranded passengers. "MacDonald refused. The journey proposed was 1,300 miles to the nearest possible rescue and he was very unlikely to make it, let alone the men who would go with him," said Dr Little, whose research on the subject was aided by both the British Newspaper archives and descendants of Captain Lattimore.

After two weeks on the island, moved by the plight of one of the youngest survivors who he witnessed struggling with the meagre food supply, MacDonald changed his mind.

He and four other men set off in a 27-foot boat loaded with whatever supplies the island could spare, hoping to reach Samoa.

Amazingly, despite harsh conditions on the open waters, the crew of the small vessel arrived at their destination after 18 days.

"MacDonald had navigated 1,300 miles in an open boat across the ocean and hit his target bang on; a truly amazing piece of seamanship and navigation," the author said.

But significant, too is Captain Lattimore's role in the story. "After six weeks on an island with no berries, fruits, starch foods and water, no one died. That is remarkable and a testimony to a man who must have been one hell of a leader."

The Larne man carved a wooden plaque while marooned on the islands, which is still in the possession of his family.

'MacDonald's Choice' is available to buy now on Amazon.