Alexander Selkirk, 1676-1721, was a Scottish sailor who spent four years as a castaway when he was marooned on an uninhabited island. It is probable that his travels provided the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe. In 1863, the crew of H.M.S. Topaze placed a bronze tablet on a spot called Selkirk's Lookout on a hill of the island in memory of his stay. On 1 January 1966, Selkirk's island was officially renamed Robinson Crusoe Island. At the same time, the most western island of the Juan Fernández Islands was renamed Alejandro Selkirk Island although Selkirk probably never saw that island (97 miles west).
Herbert A. Walling was printer on board the U.S.S. California, one of three wooden steam frigates authorized by Congress during the Civil War in order to provide a post-war general purpose fleet.
From the description of In memory of Alexander Selkirk, mariner, ca. 1870. (Maine Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 743100675
