This extraordinary voyage embarked on its peculiar journey more than a century ago, precisely in 1889. Under the command of Captain Sargent, the vessel set sail from Durban, South Africa, en route to Boston, carrying exceptional cargo. The ship's exotic inhabitants were cockatoos, snakes, crocodiles, an orangutan, a gorilla, and many monkeys and parrots. The following narrative serves as a remarkable testament to the trials faced by the crew as they grappled with a tumultuous and dangerous expedition.

From the outset, it was evident that Margaret's voyage was no ordinary affair. While historical records confirm the ship's existence and exotic cargo, these creatures' ultimate destination remains a mystery. An article in the Sydney Morning Herald, dated April 9, 1890, alluded to the animals being intended for a museum yet regrettably omitted specifics regarding the museum's identity or location. This enigmatic aspect only adds to the mystique surrounding this extraordinary tale.

The Cockatoos' Tragic Fate

The voyage encountered its first calamity when a horde of rats and stowaways onboard ravaged the grain stores meant to nourish the cockatoos and parrots. This devastating development led to a heart-wrenching loss, with nearly all these exotic birds perishing before the journey's end. The crew faced the grim reality that their mission had already confronted significant setbacks.

Snakes on the Loose

The chaos escalated dramatically when an unforeseen gale toppled several boxes, inadvertently liberating the ship's snakes from their enclosures. Amidst the ensuing turmoil, the crew's attempts to save the remaining birds were temporarily impeded. Concurrently, the crocodiles seized this opportunity to break free, instigating an unexpected three-way clash between the crocodiles, snakes, and rats. For a harrowing period estimated at five days, a substantial portion of the ship turned into a dangerous and inaccessible battleground.

In a peculiar twist of fate, the sole surviving crocodile met an untimely demise when a second storm struck, causing a crate of goods to topple and crush the reptile. This providential turn of events unfolded after the tumultuous battle between the crocodiles, snakes, and rats had run its course.

Monkeys Lost at Sea

The saga of calamity did not culminate there. With all the monkeys having successfully eluded capture, they sought refuge within the ship's rigging, believing it to be their sole sanctuary. Regrettably, an unrelenting combination of storms, fierce winds, and colossal waves bore the remaining monkeys out to sea, where they disappeared without a trace. Despite the crew's valiant efforts, only four monkeys could be recovered before the unforgiving sea mercilessly swept them away.

The Indomitable Gorilla

One might assume that the ordeal had finally concluded, but yet another formidable trial remained—the furious gorilla. Amidst the chaos that had unleashed snakes, crocodiles, and monkeys, the crew confronted the daunting task of persuading an enraged gorilla to return to its enclosure. According to reports in the Wiltshire Gazette, the gorilla brandished a formidable truncheon, menacingly threatening any sailor who ventured too close. The gorilla secured a robust iron rod to exacerbate matters, further heightening the tricky situation.

The solitary silver lining was that the gorilla remained tethered to the floor, granting the crew a semblance of control, albeit precarious. It was reported that the crew members sustained significant injuries as they endeavored to coax the gorilla back into its confinement. Notably, the ship's cook suffered grievous injuries, including partial scalping resulting from a decisive blow to the temple. Quick thinking by a fellow crew member saved the cook's life when he struck the gorilla on the head with the blunt end of a hatchet, stunning the creature and compelling it to return to its enclosure.