The first woman to circumnavigate the glove was disguised as a man for the first portion of her journey, and was brutally raped by the crew when she was discovered. It's not a pretty story.
“http://www.npr.org/2010/12/26/132265308/a-female-explorer-discovered-on-the-high-seas”
She was a botanist at the time, and is evidently the actual discoverer of the common ornamental plant, the bougainvillea.
Comments
What a fascinating story
From penniless herb-woman to botanical assistant, to explorer, to rape victim, a story and a half of a courageous and intelligent woman. Amazing stuff.
Angharad