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Into History.

com. It's February 17.

It's February 1704 near Cape Horn where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Pacific at the tip of South America.

28-year-old sailing master Alexander Selkker stands on the quarter deck of the

sink ports an English ship on a dangerous mission. The sink ports is a

privateer, a warship crewed by state-sanctioned pirates.

Her crew has permission from the English government to plunder the high seas

attacking ships of enemy nations.

And today the sink ports has a target in its sights, a lone French vessel struggling through the choppy

waters off South America. But this enemy ship is armed and isn't going to yield easily.

And as the Sinkports approaches, the French opened fire.

Their first few cannon shots missed the English and fall harmlessly short into the churning waters.

But the next shot whistles close overhead.

Alexander is an experienced officer. But the next shot whistles close overhead.

Alexander is an experienced officer and doesn't flinch.

He encourages his man to keep their nerve.

They just have to get closer.

But a French shot crashes into the side of the sink ports.

Rushing to the rail, Alexander leans over to check the damage.

...