After Stradling's and Dampier's dispute, the Cinque…

After Stradling's and Dampier's dispute, the Cinque Ports had been brought by Stradling in September 1704 to an island known to the Spanish as Más a Tierra (and that is that is today known as Robinson Crusoe Island) in the uninhabited archipelago of Juan Fernández 670 km (420 mi) off the coast of Chile for a mid-expedition restocking of supplies and fresh water.

Selkirk by this time has grave concerns about the seaworthiness of this vessel and has tried to persuade some of his crewmates to desert with him, remaining on the island; he is counting on an impending visit by another ship.

No one else has agreed to come along with him.

Stradling declares that he will grant him his wish and leave him alone on Juan Fernández.

Selkirk promptly regrets his decision, chasing and calling after the boat, to no avail.

Selkirk is to live the next four years and four months without any human company.

Ultimately, Selkirk's instincts as a sailing master had been entirely correct. The Cinque Ports will indeed later founder off the coast of what is present-day Colombia shortly after leaving the island, and most of the crew will drown.

Stradling and half a dozen of the crew will survive the loss of their ship, but will be made prisoners by the Spanish, as the War of the Spanish Succession is going on, England and the Netherlands being in conflict with France and Spain over who is to be King of Spain.

Sent to Lima in Peru, they will endure years of brutal imprisonment there.

Selkirk’s impulsive decision to stay on the island condemned him to years of agonizing loneliness, but it also saved his life.