William Mariner (writer)

William Charles Mariner
An 1816 engraving depicting William Mariner in Tongan dress
An 1816 engraving depicting William Mariner in Tongan dress
Born(1791-09-10)10 September 1791
England
Died20 October 1853(1853-10-20) (aged 62)
NationalityEnglish
Other namesToki 'Ukamea (Tongan)
Occupation(s)Privateer, writer
Known forHis account of living as a captive in Tonga for four years
Notable workThe Tongan Islands, William Mariner's account

William Charles Mariner (10 September 1791 – 20 October 1853) was an Englishman who lived in Tonga from 29 November 1806 to (probably) 8 November 1810.[1] He published a memoir, An Account of the Natives of the Tonga Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean, which is one of the major sources of information about Tonga before it was influenced significantly by European cultures and Christianity.

At age 14, Mariner was a ship's clerk aboard the British privateer Port au Prince.[2] In 1806, while it was anchored off the Tongan island of Lifuka, in the Ha'apai island group, Port au Prince was seized by a chief named Fīnau ʻUlukālala.[2] Of the 26 crew members, 22 were killed, while the chief spared Mariner and three others.[3] Mariner lived in Tonga for four years, and during this time he became known as Toki 'Ukamea ("Iron Axe"). After returning to England, he dictated a detailed account of his experiences, a description of Tongan society and culture, and a grammar and dictionary of the Tongan language.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Campbell & Campbell 1998 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Kaeppler 1999 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Düring 1990 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Howgego, R.J. (2004). Encyclopedia of exploration, 1800 to 1850: a comprehensive reference guide to the history and literature of exploration, travel and colonization between the years 1800 and 1850. Hordern House. p. 388. ISBN 978-1-875567-44-7. Retrieved 4 July 2020. ... Mariner's account also includes a grammar and a Tongan-English dictionary. ...