The Man Who Stole the Cyprus: A True Story of Escape

224pp.  Laminated, illustrated stiff card covers.  8vo.  Gentle edge wear to card covers; a small ink tick on the first leaf, else neat, clean, bright and tight. The story of the brig Cyprus.  One evening in August 1829, the Cyprus was sheltering on a bay off Tasmania when it was captured by 18 convicts under the leadership of William Swallow, a life prisoner.  Swallow sailed the now desolate ship to Tahiti, then back to the Tongan Islands and on to Japan before scuttling her off China, while the original passengers and crew were marooned.  Five of the convicts, including Swallow, eventually made it to London where they were put on trial for piracy.