# Tristan d’Acunha and the Isle of Amsterdam explained — In Search of the Castaways

> Chapter companion for In Search of the Castaways by Jules Verne.

## What happens

The Duncan sails across the South Atlantic toward Tristan d’Acunha and the Isles of Amsterdam and St. Paul. The passengers occupy themselves with study, discussion, and observation. They stop at Tristan d’Acunha and the Isle of Amsterdam to inquire about the Britannia, but find no news. The crew harvest seals for oil. Paganel boasts of his knowledge of Australian explorers and wagers with Major MacNabb that he can name fifty, which he does fluently.

## Themes in this chapter

### Exploration and Discovery

The chapter details the voyage to remote islands, the search for the Britannia, and Paganel's recitation of Australian explorers.

### Perseverance and Hope

Despite finding no news at either island, the passengers remain engaged and anticipate reaching Australia to continue their search.

## Character check-ins

### Lord Glenarvan

Examines books and documents aboard the yacht; allows crew to hunt seals for profit.

### Jacques Paganel

Works on a composition about the Argentine Pampas; debates geographical problems; wagers with Major MacNabb that he can name fifty Australian explorers, and succeeds.

### Mary Grant

Spends time on deck training her hand, head, and heart; serves as umpire in Paganel's wager.

### Lady Helena

Serves as umpire in Paganel's wager; praises his knowledge of Australia.

### Major MacNabb

Doubts Paganel's claim about fifty explorers; accepts the wager but loses.

### John Mangles

Measures the temperature of warm springs on the Isle of Amsterdam (166° Fahrenheit).

## Key lines

> The Duncan now had before her a broad stretch of ocean but little traversed by navigators.

The Duncan entered a vast, rarely sailed part of the ocean.

_Sets the scene for the voyage across the South Atlantic._

> Inquiry was made of the authorities (for these islets are governed by a British official from the Cape of Good Hope) if there were any tidings of the Britannia. But nothing was known of such a ship.

They asked the local British governor if he had heard of the Britannia, but he had no information.

_Shows the continued fruitless search for Captain Grant._

> Paganel decided that it was not necessary for him to bathe here 'geographically.'

Paganel joked that the hot springs were too hot for a geographical bath.

_Highlights Paganel's playful character._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxviii-tristan-d-acunha-and-the-isle-of-amsterdam
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters