William Mariner was ship's clerk aboard the British privateer and whaler "Port au Prince". Anchored off the Tongan island of Lifuka, in the Ha'apai group, the "Port au Prince" was seized by the high chief and future king of Tonga, Finau Ulukalala, on 1 December 1806. Most of the crew were killed in the takeover of the ship, but Finau spared Mariner and several colleagues. Finau assumed responsibility for Mariner, taking him under his protection and entrusting his care to one of his wives, Mafihape, who taught Mariner the customs, taboos, dress and language of her people. Mariner lived in Tonga until November 1810, predominantly in the northern island group of Vava'u. He wrote an account of his experiences in Tonga which is one of the major sources on information on pre-Christian Tonga.
From the description of Letter to William Mariner from his Tongan adoptive mother, an English translation and related documents, 1832 [microform]. [1832] (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 653353142
