Shipwreck of the American Barque Rover

The shipwreck of the American barque Rover occurred offshore of southern Taiwan, leading to a series of tragic events. Following the incident, the captain, his wife, and several crew members managed to escape but were subsequently captured and killed by the Koaluts tribe of the Paiwan people. Two attempts to rescue the survivors were unsuccessful, prompting Le Gendre, the US Consul, to demand intervention from the Qing government. In response, Garrison Commander Liu Mingcheng led a contingent of 500 Qing troops to the region to assist in negotiations with the indigenous tribes. The aboriginal chief, Tanketok, revealed a historical context of animosity towards foreigners, stemming from past encounters that nearly led to the extermination of the Koaluts tribe. Although an agreement was reached for the mountain aborigines to assist the castaways, it became evident that Tanketok lacked full authority over the various tribes in the area. This incident highlighted the complexities of colonial interactions and the challenges faced by foreign powers in negotiating with indigenous populations, as well as the tensions between the Qing government and its perception of its own authority in dealing with 'wild races'.