I’m glad you mentioned “N-word of the Narcissus” a.k.a. “Children of the Sea,” which is one of the first and best things Joseph Conrad ever wrote. That and “Typhoon” are my favorites.
But I lost your reference to Russell’s stories of the South Seas. This just doesn’t ring a bell.
Forgive my ignorance and please elucidate.
Short stories of the South Seas by John Russell
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32946/32946-h/32946-h.htm