In the fierce winter of 1710, in a North American port, a boat ferried ten shipwreck survivors to the safety of shore. Fourteen Englishmen had taken refuge on Boon Island, a sparse 100-yard long stretch of rock, without food or adequate shelter, uncertain of when or if they would be rescued. They endured for 24 days. An escape attempt failed and four men died. Facing starvation, their captain, John Deare, gave the order to butcher and eat a member of the crew. Deane's decision fended off starvation and sustained his crew until rescue. John Deane emerged as unlikely hero. But an alternative version of events began to circulate. The First Mate painted Deane as a murderous fraudster, tyrant and an enthusaistic consumer of human flesh. Centering on the scandal that defined him, The Shipwreck Cannibals tells the forgotten story of John Deane; criminal, mercenary, gentleman, diplomat and cannibal.