London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jul 07, 2025

Local author donates book to government schools

Local author donates book to government schools

Local author Sam Oakley has donated copies of her book, ‘The Wreck of the Ten Sail: A true story from Cayman’s past’ to government school libraries.
The book chronicles one of Cayman’s most intriguing historical events, which may have shaped the future of the Cayman Islands as it is known today.

Students and teachers from Years 3 to 6 received the books to add to their classroom libraries. “The text is a welcome resource for the primary schools’ social studies and English-language curriculum,” said Yosha Alphonse, literary specialist at the Ministry of Education.

The school donation was facilitated by the ministry in conjunction with local charity, LIFE ‘Literacy is For Everyone’, which has been instrumental in the promotion of literacy engagement in schools.

Oakley said it was a huge endorsement for her writing that the ministry wanted to introduce the book as part of the schools’ curriculum. “I am quite delighted at this huge honour,” she said.

In her book, Oakley revisited the evidence for the historic shipwreck that occurred off Grand Cayman’s East End on 8 Feb., 1794, and discovered some new facts.
Ten ships of a large convoy sailing from Jamaica to England – including the accompanying naval frigate, HMS Convert – were driven onto a reef on the eastern shore. The story is told in this new book.

Thanks to the heroic efforts of the islanders at the time, almost everyone aboard the stricken vessels was saved, among them, someone with a link to King George II, said Oakley in the book. Legend has it that it was a royal prince who was saved. Historians have ruled that out, but according to Oakley’s research, there was indeed someone on board with close links to the British monarchy.

In 1994, the 200th anniversary of the incident was marked by a visit to the site by Queen Elizabeth II, who dedicated a memorial to the six victims of the shipwreck.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
×