Some of you may have come across this but the link is to a more complete account. www.mave2002.com/caledonianyawl/agresum.htm
As the author says.. best read by oil lamp sitting squashed under a table..while someone throws buckets of water over you at random intervals.
In the 70s I lived in American Samoa...working for the Marine Dept. as a Fish Biologist.. basically a paid SCUBA diver.. So I witnessed the arrival of the "wreck" of the Aegre when she was towed into Pago harbour.
She was repaired buy a local guy who bought her, and ended up in Western Samoa.
Anyway.. an amazing story ...totally crazy IMO.. but great stuff... ::)