This multi-cache follows the route of 'Robert Louis Stevenson Treasure Island Trail' walk. The route is marked by a series of barrels planted with palm trees which mark significant events in Treasure Island and other books inspired by Bristol’s maritime heritage.
Can you find all 8 barrels and then the hidden treasure? You'll need to collect a number from each barrel to find where X marks the spot. Bonus points for photos of anyone dressed up as pirates on this quest for treasure!
Waypoint 1 - M.V Almshouses
This is the actual place where a pirate treasure map was introduced into literature by William Williams in his 1815 book 'The Journal of Llewellyn Penrose - Seaman. First 'acquired' by Edgar Allan Poe in The Gold-Bug the idea was then 'borrowed' by Robert Louis Stevenson for Treasure Island in 1883.
Built in 1699, the Almshouses gave accommodation to many former sailors in order for them to see out their days. Williams was born in Bristol and led a life of adventure, one of the first people to spend a lot of time with Native Americans and then Moskito Indians in the Caribbean, he was given refuge here at the end of his life. The Reverend Eagles managed to get him a berth here and in return Williams bequeathed the Reverend his journal. Eagles thought it so good that he got it published.
How many years did Williams live here on his return to Bristol? A
Waypoint 2 - Llandoger Trow
Treasure Island starts at the Admiral Benbow Inn (named after a former Bristol privateer) where young Jim Hawkins helped his Mum run the pub on the North Devon coast. Here Jim inadvertently ends up with the troublesome treasure map that he obtains from the old sea salt Billy Bones, who was staying there. Bones dies of shock after getting 'The Black Spot' (pirate curse) from a maimed buckaneer, Blind Pew, who was frantically searching for the map.
The Llandoger, perhaps Bristol's most iconic inn was initially run by an old Bristol sea captain, also named Hawkins. The wooden framed structure is surely emblematic of Stevenson's Admiral Benbow.
When was the Llandoger built? Last digit = B
Waypoint 3 - Welsh Back
Treasure Island comes to Bristol where Jim's allies, Squire Trelawney and Doctor Livesey, take the treasure map with plans to get a ship to track down the riches. The Hispanola is secured for this and the ship is fitted out and victualled. The only thing they need now is a crew.
Bristol's most successful privateer, Woodes Rogers (from Queen Square), did the very same thing, acquiring the Duke and Dutchess in order to take prizes during the Spanish War of Succession. He came home with both of his original ships, most of his crew, a Spanish Treasure Ship and maroon Alexander Selkirk (the prototype for Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and Stevenson's Ben Gunn).
What year did Rogers acquire the Duke and Dutchess? Second digit = C
Waypoint 4 - The Spy-Glass
When seeking a crew, Squire Trelawney comes across Bristol pub landlord Long John Silver at his inn the Spy-Glass on the quayside. Trelawney can't believe his luck, Silver offers himself as Sea Cook on the forthcoming cruise and even extra crew members if he needs them. Jim is worried, could this be the one legged seaman Billy Bones had warned him about?
Many a sailor in Bristol was wary of the Press Gang, or even worse, the slave traders, To counter this the Hole-in-the-Wall is the only pub in the country to boast a spy hole feature (which allowed a lookout to warn his mates).
How many pieces according to Flint? D
Waypoint 5 - Redcliffe Wharf
After an argument between Captain Smollett and the Squire – over Silver’s role in hiring the crew and gossip around town about treasure – they get underway. Before long disaster strikes and a crew member, Arrow, is mysteriously lost overboard. Soon after Jim is stranded in the apple barrel where he overhears that Silver and his shipmates are pirates, intent on having the treasure for themselves.
Imagine Bristol’s quaysides of old, bow to stern full of ships and goods for and from all over the world; wool, stockfish and soap for the continent port, sherry and wine on return; arms, manillas and batteryware for the Guinea Coast, slaves to the America’s, rum, sugar, cocoa and tobacco back. Exotic dress and strange accents. Barrels, bales and bounty, the smell of tar and of the sea.
What is the number in crew member, Arrow's title? E
Waypoint 6 - Redcliffe Caves
Eventually the actual Treasure Island is spotted and battle lines are drawn between the Squire’s men and Silver’s. Just as the first boat gets ashore, not long after landing, Jim bumps into the man of the island, Ben Gunn, a maroon and one of Silver’s former shipmates. Ben shows Jim a stockade where his friends can fend off the pirates. Ultimately, its Gunn’s cave that keeps the treasure out of the pirates’ hands.
Redciffe Caves were primarily excavated for their red sandstone, a key ingredient for Bristol’s burgeoning glass industry. Later they were used to house prisoners of war and latterly goods from all over the Empire; palm oil and elephants teeth among the more luxurious.
How many different nationalities of prisoners of war are mentioned? F
Waypoint 7 - The Ostrich
Jim's nemesis throughout his adventure is Israel Hands, ships gunner and solid Silver cohort. After helping to fend off the pirates at the stockade Jim slips away and, using Gunn's coracle, tries to commandeer the Hispanola only to come up against Hands. After a climatic fight Jim manages to come out on top while the ship drifts to safety.
Whilst writing Treasure Island Stevenson used all of pirate literature then at his disposal. One such book was the 1724 General History of ye Pyrates which featured one of Redcliffe's most famous (or infamous) sons, Edward Teach, a.k.a Blackbeard. Israel Hands was genuinely one of Blackbeard's shipmates and Stevenson borrowed not only his name but also that of a Guinea Trader, one Benjamin Gunn from the same source to become characters in his classic. Stevenson also used the Blackbeard inspired verse 'yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum' throughout his masterpiece.
How many men on the dead man's chest? G
Waypoint 8 - Merchant's Landing
After saving the ship Jim ends up in the hands of the depleted pirates, Silver uses him as a hostage (while protecting his life) and secures the treasure map from Doctor Livesey. The cutthroat crew then follow ghoulish markers before coming across the site of the treasure. There's uproar as the gold has gone, the Squire's men then ambush the pirates and Silver saves Jim's life once again. Ben Gunn had discovered the treasure years before and removed it to his cave. When Long John realises the game is up he pleads for clemency.
The survivors gather up the booty and set sail for Bristol. Typically, Silver avoids the hang man's noose by gently slipping away with some of the treasure.
How many boats are described as Bristol's treasures? H
The treasure
The treasure can be found at:
N51 2 (C - E) . (G - D) (H / A) (B - E - F)
W02 3 (A + F) . (H + E) (G - B - A) (B)