Patrick Watkins (sailor)
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Patrick Watkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Occupation | Sailor |
| Known for | First permanent resident of Galápagos Islands |
Patrick Watkins was an Irish sailor. He was the first permanent resident on the Galápagos Islands after he became marooned on Floreana Island in 1807. Very little is known of his life before he became marooned or of his life after he was jailed in Paita, Peru.
Watkins was a sailor from Ireland.[1]
Marooning on Floreana
In 1807, Watkins became marooned on Floreana Island. It is unknown if he was forcibly left there or if he did so voluntarily.[2] As a result, he became the first known permanent resident of the Galápagos Islands.[3]
Over the next two years, Watkins survived by hunting, growing vegetables on a two-acre plot in a small valley and trading with passing ships.[3] He became known for trading his vegetables for rum with passing vessels and was reputedly drunk for most of his stay on the island.[4]
He eventually stole a longboat from a whaling ship, impressing five of its crew as his "slaves", and navigating to Guayaquil, Ecuador.[5] Watkins was the only one of the six to survive the journey.[5]