Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal in 1816Undertaken by Order of the French Government, Comprising an Account of the Shipwreck of the Medusa, the Sufferings of the Crew, and the Various Occurrences on Board the Raft, in the Desert of Zaara, at St. Louis, and at the Camp of Daccard. to Which Are Subjoined Observations Respecting the Agriculture of the Western Coast of Africa, from Cape Blanco to the Mouth of the Gambia.

“Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal in 1816” by Savigny and Corréard is a historical account written in the early 19th century. This gripping narrative details the harrowing experiences of the authors, who were survivors of the infamous shipwreck of the French frigate Medusa. It chronicles their struggle for survival at sea after being abandoned on a makeshift raft, as well as the events leading up to the disaster and the systemic failures that contributed to their plight. The opening of the book introduces the catastrophic shipwreck of the Medusa, emphasizing the dire circumstances faced by the surviving crew members who managed to escape to a raft. With an initial total of around 150 people on the raft, the narrative highlights the immediate aftermath of the shipwreck, describing the chaos and despair of those left behind and the desperate attempts to save themselves. As the survivors grapple with the harsh realities of hunger, thirst, and abandonment, tensions mount among them, leading to conflicts and acts of courage. The vivid descriptions of their physical and emotional turmoil set the stage for an epic tale of survival against the odds.