In 1741, HMS Wager wrecked off the remote coast of Patagonia. Stranded and starving, the crew faced not just the elements—but each other. When leadership collapsed, a mutiny split the survivors. Some followed Captain David Cheap. Others followed gunner John Bulkeley. What happened next would challenge the laws of command, loyalty, and survival.This episode unpacks one of the most brutal and overlooked naval disasters in British history—where the greatest threat came after the shipwreck.

In 1741, HMS Wager wrecked off the remote coast of Patagonia. Stranded and starving, the crew faced not just the elements—but each other. When leadership collapsed, a mutiny split the survivors. Some followed Captain David Cheap. Others followed gunner John Bulkeley. What happened next would challenge the laws of command, loyalty, and survival. This episode unpacks one of the most brutal and overlooked naval disasters in British history—where the greatest threat came after the shipwreck.

The Wager Shipwreck

History’s darkest moments, real-life survival stories, and strange happenings from our distant past. 

Mysteries and Backstories uncovers the eerie, forgotten, and gripping corners of true history. From lost expeditions and cannibalism to vanished lighthouse keepers and cryptic artifacts, each episode dives deep into a real event that blurs the line between fact and folklore.

History

History’s darkest moments, real-life survival stories, and strange happenings from our distant past. Mysteries and Backstories uncovers the eerie, forgotten, and gripping corners of true history. From lost expeditions and cannibalism to vanished lighthouse keepers and cryptic artifacts, each episode dives deep into a real event that blurs the line between fact and folklore.

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The Wager Shipwreck

The Wager Shipwreck