Pitcairn's Island  Source  Whalesite

Admiral Fairfax Moresby's report
on his visit to Pitcairn's Island,
August 7-11, 1852.

      The following despatch has been transmitted to us for publication: —

      "Sir, — Continuing the report of my proceedings from the 27th ult., as detailed in my letter No. 71, I request you will inform the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that after passing over the position assigned to Incarnation Island without seeing it, we made Pitcairn's Island on the morning of the 7th inst.

      "Early on Sunday, the 8th, I landed. From this time to the period of our departure, on the 11th, I remained on shore, and a constant intercourse was kept up with the Portland.

      "It is impossible to do justice to the spirit of order and decency that animates the whole community, whose number amounts to 170, strictly brought up in the Protestant faith, according to the Established Church of England, by Mr. Nobbs, their pastor and surgeon, who has for 24 years zealously and successfully, by precept and example, raised them to a state of the highest moral conduct and feeling.

      "Of fruits and edible roots they have at present abundance, which they exchange with the whalers for clothing, oil, medicine, and other necessaries; but the crops on the tillage ground begin to deteriorate, landslips occur with each succeeding storm, and the declivities of the hills, when denuded, are laid bare by the periodical rains. Their diet consists of yams, sweet potatoes, and broad-fruit; a small quantity of fish is occasionally caught; their pigs supply annually upon an average about 501b. of meat to each individual; and they have a few goats and fowls. Their want of clothing and other absolute necessaries is very pressing, and I am satisfied that the time has arrived when preparation, at least, must be made for the future ,seven or eight years being the utmost that can be looked forward to for a continuance of their present means of support. The summary of the year 1851 gives — births, 12; deaths, 2; marriages, 3. On their return from Tahiti they numbered about 60, of whom there were married 13 couple; the rest from the age of 16 to infancy.

      "Mr. Nobbs was anxious to avail himself of my offer to convey him to Valparaiso, and thence enable him to proceed to Englaad, for the purpose of obtaining ordination. At a general meeting of the inhabitants their consent was given, provided I would leave the chaplain of the Portland until Mr. Nobbs returned; the advantage is so obvious that I feel confident their Lordships will approve my consenting. From the anxiety which has been expressed by high authorities of the Church for Mr. Nobbs's ordination, I anticipate that it will be effected with so little delay that he will be enabled to return to Valparaiso by the middle of January. I enclose a copy of the memorandum given to the Rev. Mr. Holman.

      "I was unable to comply strictly with the list of articles which their Lordships authorized me to give the islanders. I enclose a list of what we supplied; they were greatly wanted and gratefully received. The crew of the Portland also requested permission to give a portion of their allowance, and also that they might be allowed to send them a whale-boat, with other stores from Valparaiso.

      "Captain Chade and the officers were most generous. I was fortunate in procuring at Borobora a young bull and heifer, also a ram, accidents having befallen the ones previously sent. The packet of seeds forwarded in their Lordships' letter, No. 132, of the 4th of December, 1851, was duly delivered.

      "Should any unfortunate circumstance prevent the periodical visits of the whale-ships, they would bo left entirely to the charitable consideration of Her Majesty's Government. The crews of the whale-ships have invariably conducted themselves with marked propriety. They take their turn of leavo on shore, and their sick are received and nursed with the greatest care.

      "The Adeline Gibbs, American whaler, Mr. Weeks master, was there during our visit. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks were living ashore. It would be a happy circumstance if a person like her could be found to reside among them.

      "I forward a continuation of their journal, since that published by Mr. Brodie — a very correct statement, which renders unnecessary any further remarks.

"Pitcairn's Island"
      The Times (London, England)
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 1852
No. 21251
p.5.

Pitcairn's Island  Source  Whalesite