James Riley (captain) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Riley
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| Born | October 27, 1777 Middletown, Connecticut
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| Died | March 13, 1840 (aged 62) At sea
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| Occupation | Ship captain, writer |
| Spouse(s) |
Phebe Miller
(m. 1802) |
| Children | 5 |
James Riley (born October 27, 1777 – died March 13, 1840) was an American ship captain. He became famous for surviving a terrible shipwreck and being held captive in the Sahara Desert. After his rescue, he wrote a popular book about his experiences. This book later influenced important figures like Abraham Lincoln in their fight against slavery.
Contents
Early Adventures
James Riley was born in Middletown, Connecticut. When he was just 15 years old, he started working on a trading ship. He sailed to the West Indies, learning all about life at sea. By the time he was 20, he had already become a ship captain. In January 1802, he married Phebe Miller. Together, they had five children.
Shipwreck and Survival
In August 1815, Captain Riley was sailing his merchant ship, the Commerce. They were off the coast of what is now Western Sahara. A terrible storm hit, and the ship was wrecked. Riley and his crew were stranded in the vast and dangerous Sahara Desert.
Captured in the Desert
Lost and without supplies, Captain Riley felt responsible for his crew. They faced extreme heat, hunger, and thirst. Soon, they were captured by local people from the Sahrawi group. Riley and his crew were forced into slavery. They suffered greatly from harsh treatment and starvation. They were made to work hard in the desert. Captain Riley later wrote a book about this difficult time. It was first called Authentic Narrative of the Loss of the American Brig 'Commerce'. Today, it is known as Sufferings in Africa.
Life After the Desert
After a long and difficult period, Captain Riley and his crew were finally rescued. Once he returned to America, Riley became a strong supporter of the anti-slavery movement. He spoke out against the practice of slavery. However, he eventually returned to his life at sea.
Captain James Riley died on March 13, 1840. He was on his ship, the Brig William Tell, sailing between New York and St. Thomas. His death was believed to be due to health problems from his terrible suffering in the Sahara Desert years earlier. Many of his crew members also faced health issues because of their hardships. The last surviving crewman, a cabin boy, lived to be 82 years old.
A Lasting Impact
Captain Riley founded a village in the Midwest called Willshire, Ohio. He named it after William Willshire. Willshire was the kind man who helped to free Riley and his crew from slavery.
Riley's book, Sufferings in Africa, had a big impact on many people. One of them was Abraham Lincoln, who later became a president of the United States. Lincoln said that Riley's book was one of the three most important works that shaped his ideas. It especially influenced his strong views against slavery. The other two books were the Bible and The Pilgrim's Progress.
