PLUMMER, Thomas (printer) - Thomas Tegg (publisher). Shipwreck and death of Lord Royston. (FIRST AND ONLY EDITION - 1808)

AUTHOR: PLUMMER, Thomas (printer) - Thomas Tegg (publisher). 

TITLE: Shipwreck and death of Lord Royston, and other persons of distinction; who went passengers from Liebau for Carlscrona in the Agatha commanded by Captain Koop : which was unfortunately stranded near Memel, April 7, 1808, when near twenty persons perished : including the wonderful preservation of some of the crew, particularly the women and children : and a remarkable instance of the want of fortitude and patience in a servant maid ... : also the loss of the Portuguese ship, Bowaniong : which was wrecked on her passage from Calcutta to China, June 17, 1807, and her captain, John Nepremassena, with several others drowned.

PUBLISHER: London: Printed for T. Tegg, n.d. [1808]

DESCRIPTION: FIRST AND ONLY EDITION. 1 vol., 6-7/8" x 4-1/8", folding frontis of the loss of the "Agatha", 28pp., complete, bound in 1/2 diced brown calf, gilt lettered spine.

CONDITION: Lower edge of frontis closely trimmed affecting several words, internally clean and bright, hinges rubbed, head and foot of spine rubbed with loss.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The Agatha was sailing the icy waters north of the European continent when it began leaking profusely. For a couple of days the crew and passengers pumped and bailed while searching for a harbor where they could land, avoiding the dangerous sea ice. Finally, they made a run for it, but were unsuccessful. The ship sank deeper, and many of the passengers and crew made a run for the lifeboats. Lord Royston and a few others made it to one boat, but were promptly washed away. So were many of those on board. When a lifeboat reached the ship, it found Captain Koop and a few others clinging to the bow. They were rescued, but the Captain had to report all of the others were lost. However, he was not quite right. Several passengers had taken shelter in the ship's round-house, unknown to the Captain. They took turns coming out on deck for brief periods of time to signal to shore that they were still alive. Finally, after several harrowing rescue attempts, they were saved.

Apparently no copy has ever appeared at auction.  There are only 6 copies located in institutions.  Four in the U.S. and two in New Zealand.